Jackson Free Press logo

This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

9. Gasoline
Emissions: Greenhouse gases/pollution
Energy: Gasoline fuel
Mile Range: 350+
Time to Refuel/Recharge: Minutes
Cents per mile: 12 cents+

8. Natural Gas
Emissions: Little to no pollution
Energy: Natural gas in the home or at a gas station
Mile Range: 220
Time to Refuel/Recharge: Minutes to get home or find a gas station with natural gas
Cents per mile: 5 cents+

7. Biodiesel
Emissions: Cleaner emissions than any other alternative fuel, reduces global warming gas emissions
Energy: Non-petroleum based fuel; chemical process
Mile Range: 700+
Time to Refuel/Recharge: Minutes to refuel, minimal refueling needed
Cents per mile: 8 cents+

6. Hybrid
Emissions: 80 percent less pollution and emissions than gasoline cars
Energy: Gas-electric
Mile Range: 200+
Time to Refuel/Recharge: Minutes
Cents per mile: 9 cents+

5. Plug-in Hybrid
Emissions: Reduced emissions and pollution
Energy: Gas-electric
Mile Range: 100+
Time to Refuel/Recharge: 8 hours
Cents per mile: 3 cents+

4. Small Car
Emissions: Reduced emissions
Energy: Gasoline
Mile Range: 70+
Time to Refuel/Recharge: Minutes
Cents per mile: 10 cents+

3. Electric
Emissions: Zero tailpipe emissions
Energy: Utility company
Mile Range: 100+
Time to Refuel/Recharge: 7.5 hours
Cents per mile: 2 cents+

2. Hydrogen
Emissions: No emissions; emissions produced in production of hydrogen
Energy: Fuel cell
Mile Range: 400+
Time to Refuel/Recharge: 8 hours
Cents per mile: 4cents+

1. E85 Ethanol
Emissions: Reduced tailpipe emissions
Energy: Non-petroleum based fuel; dry/wet milling process; 85 percent corn
Mile Range: 300+
Time to Refuel/Recharge: Minutes to locate your known corn-based fuel station
Cents per mile: 15 cents+

MFP Solutions Lab logo

The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.