Alternative fuel adoption

Conversion from a widely-used automotive fuel to an alternative fuel can be seen as the coevolution of two systems: a societal system of vehicle owners and a supply infrastructure that will provide the alternative fuel. We present a cultural algorithms model that allows us to assess the impact that initial alternative fuel station distribution and cultural motivation have on alternative fuel adoption, and the role that mass media may play in that adoption.

I. Introduction

The use of fuels other than petroleum for transportation is advocated for a number of reasons, among them: •

release of greenhouse gases by conventional vehicles

•

oil supply insecurity

•

air pollution, especially small-particle air pollution from conventional fuels