An
alternative fuel vehicle is a vehicle that runs on a fuel other than traditional
petroleum fuels (
petrol or
Diesel fuel); and also refers to any technology of powering an engine that does not involve solely
petroleum (e.g.
electric car,
hybrid electric vehicles, solar powered). Because of a combination of factors, such as environmental concerns, high oil prices and the potential for
peak oil, development of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced power systems for vehicles has become a high priority for many governments and vehicle manufacturers around the world.