Alternative fuels represent the middle ground between conventional gasoline or diesel and electricity. Only some passenger vehicles and pickup trucks can run on them, and their availability varies by location. These five models are the best for each widely available alternative fuel in the United States.
The Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. It uses an electric motor for propulsion, like most EVs, rather than an internal combustion engine. Unlike battery-electric vehicles, this midsize luxury Toyota sedan generates electricity on board.
This car’s fuel cell stack converts compressed hydrogen gas stored in onboard tanks and oxygen from ambient air into electricity. The tailpipe only expels water vapor, which is just moisture.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there were 39 hydrogen fueling stations in the country in September 2026. Most of them are in California, so the Mirai is perfect if you’re on the West Coast.
This model runs exclusively on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which means it has ultralow emissions. Later renamed Civic Natural Gas, it’s the only factory-built, nonfleet vehicle of its kind in the nation.
However, Honda discontinued the sedan in 2015 due to weak consumer demand, despite having promoted it for years after its 1998 rollout. The good news is that almost 19,000 units were still on the road at the time of the announcement and that the Japanese brand would continue to service them through its dealer network.
Considering that 2015 was the Civic GX’s last model year, the most recently produced units in circulation are already over 10 years old. Those for sale must be bargains on the secondary market, although scarcity may drive up their prices. In a country with 701 CNG fueling stations coast to coast, driving this CNG-powered car can still be convenient.
This Suburban is a solid option if you love going on adventures in a diesel-powered SUV and gas up sustainably.
Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is made from bio-based feedstock, which means it contains no fossil fuel, sulfur and aromatics. Introduced in 2007, it’s a drop-in substitute for standard diesel, so you can switch to it immediately without retrofits. In 2023, HVO consumption reached 2.9 million gallons, up from 1.7 million gallons in 2022.
Upgrading to the LT trim unlocks this Chevy SUV’s diesel engine option. It has decent fuel economy, yielding 23 mpg under the hood, which is slightly better than the Tahoe. The U.S. renewable diesel fueling infrastructure consists of 1,236 stations. Although the majority are on the West Coast, some are present in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
Automakers rarely sell passenger vehicles and pickups factory-built to run on this liquefied petroleum gas. Instead, you need an aftermarket, EPA-compliant secondary fuel system kit installed at an Alliance AutoGas-authorized conversion center.
The Explorer is one of the best candidates for conversion. This SUV maximizes the bifuel configuration’s benefits, including reduced carbon buildup on valves and lower emissions. You need a model with 3.0L EcoBoost to earn EPA certification, so you may need to select a higher trim.
Over 2,500 fueling stations in the U.S. offer propane autogas. Although this figure includes locations with limited refilling capabilities, the network is spread across the nation rather than being heavily concentrated on one coast. A bifuel Explorer can still run on gas, so range anxiety should never be an issue.
Any Sierra 1500 equipped with the 3.0L Duramax diesel engine can run on biodiesel. The vehicle is compatible with blends up to B20, which is 20% biodiesel and 80% conventional ultralow sulfur diesel.
Filling any blend above B20 can interfere with emissions controls, clog filters and damage the fuel system. Heavy-duty commercial vehicles can handle higher concentrations of biodiesel. Some light-duty vehicles can safely use this fuel, depending on manufacturer guidance, engine type and warranty limits.
The American biodiesel fueling infrastructure is 1,996-strong, though it includes stations offering blends above B20. Although the Midwest is home to most locations, the Golden State has a decent network within its borders.
