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t - i • • • • i t • • , . . run on E85 , but they are only using ethanol with about 100 of them (all in Raleigh) because the state does not yet have+ facilities set up to dispense this fuel . According to State DOT Equipment manager John Burns , there is no commercially available ethanol fuel available in North Carolina at this time , but plans are underway to make it so , Burns suggested that if the County wanted to run some of our vehicles on Ethanol , an arrangement could be worked out with the state . To do so , the County would only need a storage tank and a pump . This allows the County to immediately lower emissions on vehicles already owned, with limited up - front costs , It is important to note , though, that ethanol emissions , while lower than pure gasoline , are still not nearly as low as CNG emissions . Additionally, CNG engines (unlike ethanol) are available in many different horsepowers , so CNG could be used to run other equipment or vehicles in the future - making an initial investment in a CNG refueling facility a potentially good long-range decision , Another benefit of ethanol is that both UNC and the Town of Chapel Hill are interested in using ethanol fuel . . The fact that E85 cars are already available locally and that the fuel is available locally is also very positive . However, there are very few of these cars around now . If we could cL C11CL�JUl i 111 dilU L11C TClliVulS1Cy to commit sonic, Iuso al LU U lldllUl , 11 1111g111 be VVUllil ll LU look into setting up this system as an intermediate goal . The ethanol storage location is a problem . The public works facility does not now have an extra tank that could be converted to Ethanol storage , A new tank and pump mechanism would have to be added , A final determination of which AFV options are best for Orange County includes a comparison of all the data presented so far . In order to provide a simple overview of all of the earlier charts and tables , each of the characteristics and considerations have been combined loosely together in the following advantage/disadvantage table , Fuel Type Advantages Disadvantages Electric Grid Lower emissions than the other AFV options . Very limited range . Longer refueling time . Not Lower maintenance costs than gasoline powered available locally. Must be leased and serviced from vehicles , much cheaper re-fueling, less initial out-of--state dealer. Less powerful . Limited network capital outlay for refueling equipment than of refueling options . CNG option . Smooth and quiet Solar Zero emissions . Completely renewable power High upfront start up costs . Very limited range . source . Free charging after initial investment in Longer charging/refueling time . Not available solar equipment . " Refueling center is moveable locally. Must be leased and serviced from out- of- and easily added to for larger fleets . state dealer . Less powerful . Limited network of refueling options , CNG Dedicated . Lower emissions than both ethanol and Range of vehicle reduced . Limited network of gasoline . Cheaper fuel . Less vehicle refueling centers . Still a nonrenewable fuel source. maintenance cost. Still a reasonable travel Expensive up-front costs for refueling facility, range for many county vehicles . CNG fuel and vehicles becoming increasingly popular (Town of Chapel Hill has several vehicles and is raining their mechanics to work on them) . Similar power to gasoline engine . i- fuel Same as dedicated CNG, but added convenience Users may choose to use gasoline often and of being able to use gasoline when CNG is not therefore , no real air quality benefits come from available . No loss of range . owning this vehicle .