Where are US Alternative Fueling Stations?

With US gas prices lower than recent years, Americans may not be as motivated to consider alternative fuels. However, the country has more than 10,000 stations serving the seven most common types of fuels. This large dataset is made easier to visualize with BatchGeo’s clustering technology, with pie charts representing the percentage of each fuel in a given area.

View Alternative Fueling Stations in a full screen map

Electric is the most popular type of station overall, comprising about one-third of all stations in the country. However, it is especially popular along the west coast, where it makes up more than half of all alternative stations.

The map shows some other regional patterns, such as ethanol’s popularity in the midwest, where much of the corn used to make it is grown. The name “E85” refers to the typical blend of 85% ethanol with 15% traditional gasoline. The actual ratio depends upon the local area and manufacturer.

In Texas and throughout the south, Propane is a popular fuel, while compressed natural gas is a common sight in Utah, where even the governor once converted his vehicle to use this fuel. Alaska, the biggest state in the union, has eight propane stations and a single compressed natural gas station, but none of the other fuels.

There are over 600 biodiesel stations in the US, without any one region jumping out as a major consumer. There are pockets of biodiesel stations in the southeast and northwest, as well as multiple stations devoted to ranger vehicles at Yellowstone National Park.

The two least common fuel types have many of their stations in drive-happy southern California. There are about 35 liquid natural gas and 21 hydrogen stations in the greater LA area.

How about the place known as Motor City? Detroit has 19 electric, 3 compressed natural gas and one each of all except biodiesel. To get that edible-based oil, you’ll need to travel a bit down the road to North Dixie BP in Monroe.

If you go on a Sunday, beware—they close at 9 p.m.