Can Aircraft Fuel Be Used to Run a Motor Vehicle?

When considering the use of aircraft fuel to power a motor vehicle, it's essential to understand the specific types of aircraft fuel and the potential implications for your vehicle's performance and longevity. This article explores the feasibility of using jet fuel, aviation gasoline (AvGas), and other similar fuels in motor vehicles, including the costs and compatibility concerns.

Jet Fuel: The Practical Perspective

Jet fuel, such as Jet A and Jet A1, is highly refined kerosene designed for the efficient operation of jet engines. From a broad perspective, some vehicles, especially older ones, could use jet fuel. However, several factors need to be considered to ensure safe and effective operation.

Dielectric Engines: Although diesel engines can technically run on jet fuel, doing so would add significant costs due to the lower efficiency and the need for proper additives to prevent premature wear. Nonetheless, several diesel trucks and heavy equipment are designed to utilize jet fuel, and in some cases, your family sedan could run on it, albeit not efficiently. These vehicles often require modifications or the addition of appropriate stabilizers to mitigate potential issues.

Turbine Engines: Some land vehicles, such as some cars using jet engines, operate on jet fuel. These are typically specialized vehicles used at events like the Bonneville Salt Flats for land speed records. The U.S. M1 Abrams tank is another prime example of a vehicle equipped with a turbine engine that runs on jet fuel, demonstrating the viability of jet fuel in non-traditional motor vehicles.

Aviation Gasoline (AvGas): A Special Case

Aviation gasoline, often referred to as "AvGas," is a leaded fuel designed for spark-ignition engines in aviation, such as those used in piston aircraft. Due to its high lead content, it cannot be used in vehicles that employ catalytic converters, as the lead would destroy these systems. Conversely, older vehicles without catalytic converters from pre-1975 can use AvGas safely, albeit at a high cost—around $7.00 per gallon. This option is less common but still technically feasible in specific circumstances.

Stability and Compatibility: Using AvGas in a vehicle with a catalytic converter would be extremely detrimental, leading to converter failure. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that any fuel used is compatible with the vehicle’s components, particularly the emission system.

Legal and Practical Considerations

Legally, aircraft fuel such as jet fuel and AvGas is regulated and must meet specific standards for use in motor vehicles. Fuels not complying with these standards, such as jet fuel, AvGas, and transmix, are prohibited from being sold, transported, or supplied for use in motor vehicles, as they may not meet the necessary specifications for road use. Ground support equipment at airports, for instance, must use fuels that adhere to motor vehicle fuel specifications to avoid legal and performance issues.

Vehicle Types: Bicycles, skateboards, and snow skis are also land vehicles, albeit non-motorized. While such vehicles are not typically affected by fuel type, it's notable that any land vehicle with a turbine can run on jet fuel, saving costs in specialized applications but may be less practical for everyday use.

Conclusion

In summary, while aircraft fuel such as jet fuel and AvGas can be used in certain motor vehicles, especially older ones without catalytic converters, there are significant practical, economic, and legal considerations. Using these fuels requires careful evaluation of the vehicle's compatibility and the potential for damaging its components. For most vehicles, sticking to the traditional fuels is the safest and most practical solution.