Welcome to the Raso Enterprises web site. If you're looking for information about about vehicular alternative fuels, you can find it here. When we talk about alternative fuels, we mean anything that is not in mainstream use. We consider technological upgrades an energy system alternative. If it's not in mainstream use, it's an alternative
Why would anyone consider alternative energy options anyway? The main reason for them is that they make environmental sense. Usually, the reason people implement them is that they make economic sense. Sometimes, people do them just because they can.
Environmentally, alternative energy pollutes less and contributes less to global warming. Economically, certain options are less expensive to operate than conventional energies. However, nothing in life is free. Making a switch away from a mainstream conventional energy will involve conversion costs that could take a significant time to pay back. If you make a switch because you like the challenge, the results are your reward. If you've got a fleet that uses a lot of fuel, alternative fuels (like LNG) can have a very quick payback under the right circumstances.
If you've found this site by searching for information about alternative fuels, it is our view that anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is the fuel of the future for internal combustion engines. It contains absolutely no carbon and more hydrogen than even liquefied hydrogen. It handles like propane but is much safer because it is far more difficult to ignite and leaks are very easily detectable by the human nose. Spills are easy to contain with water and tarps and dissipate quickly into the atmosphere.
Although NH3 is currently manufactured from brown processes, it can also be manufactured from completely green processes. The same processes that produce fertilizers for our farms can also produce fuels for our vehicles, farm equipment, and power plants. Visit our ammonia page to learn more.
Until low cost NH3 becomes available, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the best interim fuel for heavy duty, Class 8 trucks. Potentially, LNG may be available at price that is very close to the pipeline cost of natural gas (plus the O&M costs for liquefaction) but this usually means that the trucking company has a central terminal with on-site liquefaction and refueling.
If you are looking for a generic kit for a propane or cng conversion, we have a number universal conversion kits. These will generally not be EPA/CARB compliant systems and are, therefore, not legal for licensed, on-road vehicles. As they are universal systems, they will require some customization on the installer's part to make them work properly and are not recommended for the novice do-it-yourselfer.
In addition, we have EPA-compliant propane conversions for a number of vehicles (Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet/GMC). These are model-specific kits that are designed to meet EPA regulations. However, EPA regulations have changed recently and many previously certified kits do not meet current EPA requirements.
So that others with similar interests can share ideas and help each other, you can find a discussion forum here. If you have an alternative-fuelled car you are proud of, we want to know about it. Click on the Fuels Forum link to take you there.
Please note the following:
- If you like the information on this web site, please feel free to link to it. If you let us know, we can also provide you with a reciprocal link.