When Congress passed The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) in 1992, one of the goals was to encourage the use of alternative transportation fuels (not derived from petroleum) that could help reduce dependence on imported oil and improve air quality. EPAct, as amended, defines alternative fuels to include: methanol, ethanol, and other alcohols; blends of 85% or more of alcohol with gasoline; natural gas and liquid fuels domestically produced from natural gas; liquefied petroleum gas (propane); coal-derived liquid fuels; hydrogen; electricity; biodiesel (B100); and P-Series.

The alternative fuels that are commercially available in Virginia or surrounding states include: