EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE VEHICLE FUELS THROUGH MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS

In the last century, alongside the development of combustion engines, researchers, engineers, and manufacturers have explored alternative fuel solutions. The results of such experiments and concepts were usually not commercialized due to a lack of awareness of the negative environmental impact of fossil fuels and insufficient technological readiness. Today, due to strict regulations and emission restrictions, the automotive industry is driven to develop and explore vehicles with more efficient engines, lower emissions, and sustainable production methods. This paper applies Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to rank various propulsion options, such as electricity, hydrogen, biofuels, and synthetic fuels, based on key criteria like energy efficiency, carbon footprint, economic feasibility, technological maturity, infrastructure readiness, etc. The analysis highlights trade-offs between different power systems, emphasizing the role of policy, innovation, and infrastructure in shaping the future of mobility.