More people are now expressing interest and looking for information about alternative fuel sources as gas prices across the U.S. continues to soar. Car owners are scouring the internet to research about alternative fuel choices such as ethanol and bio-diesel. In fact, internet searches for the keyword ‘ethanol’ rose by 212% this month compared to last year, according to Hitwise, a top online competitive intelligence service. Searches for the term ‘biodiesel’ also grew by 100% in the same period. The government site FuelEconomy.gov as well as the respective websites of the American Coalition for Ethanol and the US DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website also experienced big jumps in site visits compared to the previous month.

In a speech made last Saturday, President George W. Bush named hydrogen as the fuel of the future. “I believe that today’s children will one day take their driver’s test in a hydrogen-powered, pollution-free car. It’s a big goal, but it’s an attainable goal,” the President added. So, is Mr. Bush just having a fancy dream or are his goals really achievable?

Using hydrogen to fuel vehicles and other machines is not a new concept, or at least the idea is not something that has not been discussed in the past. But as fuel prices continue to rise and as the nation search for alternative fuel sources, interest in the subject matter has again been revived. And just as with the other alternatives being considered as solutions to the nation’s ever increasing fuel demands, the idea was met with agreements and oppositions.

According to the major proponents of hydrogen technology, using hydrogen as fuel offers a lot of advantages. For one, hydrogen is widely available in the environment and making use of it as fuel can eliminate our dependence on oil producing countries. Hydrogen is also fairly simple to generate and the technology required for such production is already existent. Hydrogen is safe for the environment too because it eliminates the need for fossil fuel and adds no greenhouse gases to the air.

But despite all of these benefits, many critics would still find hydrogen technology as an impractical solution to our nation’s current problems. Among other things, critics are concerned about the commercial viability of hydrogen and the technology. “The technology works, but it’s far too expensive,” says MacMurray Whale, an analyst at Sprott Securities. “And even if they manage to make a cost-effective fuel cell, the biggest problem is finding a way to make hydrogen available and cheap. It’s all about product and not about technology,” Whale added.

So is President Bush dreaming deep when he called hydrogen the fuel of the future? Let’s just make our major automakers and other hydrogen fuel-cell technology proponents decide. So far, General Motors have promised to reveal a fuel-cell vehicle by the end of the decade. Major hydrogen fuel-cell manufacturer Ballard Power Systems Inc. also promised to demonstrate a commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell by 2010. Among other hydrogen technology proponents, the future of hydrogen fuel cell technology may depend on these companies.

It’s a car… It’s a motorcycle… No, it’s the CLEVER!!! OK, it really doesn’t sound as good as the all-too-familiar Superman line. But the CLEVER being the next superhero in a looming fuel crisis is not an impossibility. Well, that is if any major auto manufacturer would be interested in making a production version of the prototype car.

The CLEVER, or the Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport, is a concept vehicle unveiled last Tuesday at the University of Bath in western England. It is the product of a three-year, $3 million project funded by the European Union and carried out by a bunch of universities with the aid of various German, French and Austrian organizations, one of which is BMW. The four European universities involved in the project are the University of Bath, the Technische Universitaet Berlin, the Institut Francais Du Petrole, and the Institut Fuer Verkehrswesen Universitaet Fuer Bodenkultur.

The CLEVER is a 3-wheel, 2-seater concept car that has the compactness of a motorcycle but the safety and driving characteristics of a car. The vehicle is powered by a 218 cc engine that runs on compressed natural gas, the same gas used to run many household appliances. The said engine enables the CLEVER to accelerate from 0 to 40 mph in 7 seconds, with a maximum speed rated at 80 mph. The said engine also enables the vehicle to run at an equivalent of 108 mpg.

But how does the CLEVER differ from the microcars and other three-wheeled concept cars in the past that was met by failure? Aside from the impressive fuel economy it delivers, the CLEVER also boasts of driving characteristics (especially in terms of handling and cornering) that closely resembles that of cars, thanks to the electronically controlled hydraulic system it is equipped with. With its reinforced frame, safety airbags and other safety features, the vehicle also proves itself safer than the three-wheeled concept vehicles developed before it.

In a speech to be made before the Renewable Fuels Association today, Chrysler President and CEO Thomas LaSorda is expected to detail the company’s plan of broadening their development and production of E85 flexible-fuel vehicles and other alternative fuel-powered vehicles. The plan is in line with the growing consensus among politicians and automakers that ethanol can be the solution to the fuel crisis being faced by the nation.

DaimlerChrysler is the latest automaker to join the E85 bandwagon after Toyota announced its plan of producing E85-powered vehicles by 2008. Unlike Toyota, however, DaimlerChrysler has already been producing flex-fuel vehicles. In fact, the company has already produced some 1.5 million flexible-fuel vehicles, although majority of these vehicles are sold to fleet customers. In the announcement to be made today, LaSorda is expected to detail their plans of producing E85-fueled vehicles to be sold to direct consumers.

Among Chrysler’s plans that will be announced today is the addition of three new E85 flexible fuel vehicles in September. These vehicles are flex-fuel versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander and the Dodge Dakota pickup. Chrysler also expects to sell 250,000 E85-fueled vehicles in 2007 and 500,000 units in 2008.

But despite DaimlerChrysler’s and other automakers’ commitment to the development of ethanol-fueled vehicles, there is still a problem that may hinder the nation’s success with ethanol. Many automakers point to ethanol availability as the problem. Foreseen ethanol production this year amounts to less than 1% of the nation’s annual gasoline consumption. Aside from that, only 681 fueling station offers ethanol. As LaSorda wisely said it in a statement addressed to the Detroit Economic Club, “Unfortunately, virtually all of those vehicles – some of you may even be driving them – are running on pure gasoline, due to lack of a fuel infrastructure.”

Toyota, the world leader in gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles is planning to sell ethanol-powered cars in the U.S. market by 2008. The Japanese automaker will follow at the heels of domestic automakers General Motors and Ford Motor Co. who both have in its current lineup, cars that run on E85.

E85 is a fuel blend that consists of 85% ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and 15% gasoline. It has been reported that Toyota is hesitant to use the technology because of the concern that the highly corrosive ethanol might have a negative impact on the rubber seals in the engine. To address this problem, Toyota’s new vehicle will be equipped with anti-corrosive parts. Toyota also suggested that mixing only ten to fifteen percent of ethanol into gasoline might generate bigger savings.

Meanwhile, Toyota is still keen on being the leader in hybrid vehicles. US President Bush encourages the use of ethanol to reduce foreign oil imports. In fact, he has set a 6-year goal to make ethanol a practical and competitive alternative fuel.

In the history of the automotive industry, police cars and other fleet vehicles have almost always been on the receiving end of recycled technology. Well, that was not the case today when DaimlerChrysler unveiled to the world the first operational fuel cell-powered police vehicle – the Mercedes F-Cell.

The Mercedes F-Cell is the latest product of DaimlerChrysler’s continuing development of fuel cell technology in vehicles. Pioneering the fuel cell vehicle technology more than a decade ago, the company is now the biggest proponent of the said technology, spending more than $1 billion in fuel cell vehicle research and registering more than 1.2 million miles of zero-emissions driving. Among the company’s large fleet of fuel cell vehicles are the Dodge Sprinter vans, Mercedes Benz Citaro fuel cell buses, and several of other research vehicles.

For the Mercedes F-Cell, the entire fuel cell system of the vehicle is laid down underneath its floor, leaving enough space in its interior for passengers and cargos. The vehicle is powered by an 88 hp electric motor that allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 16 seconds, with a top speed of 85 mph. While all these figures are modest, to say the least, the car is definitely an achievement in fuel cell vehicle technology.

Complete with a third generation police radio, decals, lights and sirens, the Mercedes F-Cell will be operated by the Wayne State University Police Department of Detroit as a supervisor’s vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle will also serve as a learning laboratory for the students of the WSU College of Engineering Alternative Energy Technology. The WSU Police Department will refuel the said vehicle at NextEnergy’s new hydrogen refilling station.

Automakers are putting more and more advanced technology features in every automobile that rolls off their assembly lines. Almost every aspect of these new vehicles is becoming a showcase of high-tech innovations and gadgets: from advanced safety features to interior comfort and entertainment amenities. It’s actually quite exciting to see what the car of the future has in store. Already, we are seeing some of the latest and most advanced technologies in today’s new models.

For instance, the new 2007 Mercedes Benz S550 is chock-full of new technologies and features such as an infrared technology-based night vision system, a “Pre Safe” system that prepares you whenever the car detects an impending crash. Other automakers are also introducing various technological innovations in their respective new models. The LS 460, a new luxury sedan from Lexus has a feature that allows it to park by itself. The new Acura RL prepares the car and its passengers from impact as soon as the car senses that a crash is inevitable.

One of the biggest advancements in automotive technology is the imminent introduction of a production vehicle from Honda powered by fuel cells. The Honda FCX is expected to be produced, albeit in limited numbers, by 2010. This fuel cell powered four door sedan has a driving range of 350 miles per one charge. Fuel Cells is one of the most exciting and anticipated developments in the industry. Basically, a fuel cell powertrain uses only hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity that will power the car’s engine with only water vapor as exhaust by product.

Mercedes’ “Pre Safe” system is probably one of the greatest advances in car safety systems. When the car detects and imminent collision, panic stop or skid it immediately goes into operation, closes the sunroof, adjusts the seat’s backrests and cushions, raises the head restraints, closes the side windows and tightens the seatbelts. Although these pre-collision systems are only currently available in luxury models, we can expect that lower priced vehicles might begin offering the technology as it becomes more common.

Nevertheless, not all these technological innovations are absolutely necessary or even useful at least. For example, the same high-tech night vision system mentioned above raises some valid questions: On a dark road, are we better off looking at the dashboard display rather than paying attention to the road ahead? Also, BMW got a lot of flak when buyers complained about the complicated iDrive System, which controls climate, navigational, audio and other functions.

With all these technologies that really does enhance the functionality and versatility of automobiles but are admittedly making the driving experience far more complicated than it should be, there could come a time when car buyers will get a “technology overload” and shun away from such flashy and complicated gizmos and gadgets. Whatever it is that lies ahead, one thing is certain, the cars of the future are now here.

It’s confirmed. BMW is all set to produce a hydrogen-based version of its popular 7-series model within the next two years not four years as was previously announced. The German automaker plans to produce at least a few hundred of these hydrogen cars. The vehicles will have two fuel tanks: one for standard gasoline and the other for hydrogen. This means that future drivers can switch between using gasoline and hydrogen which will be very important as hydrogen re-fueling centers are yet to be established.

The hydrogen-powered cars are part of BMW’s long term goal of offering hydrogen motors in all its cars. This is definitely good news for every living, breathing organism in this world: hydrogen cars run on water, produces only water vapor emissions, and uses unlimited supply of hydrogen from sunlight.

The full implementation of hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles has always been faced with issues concerning the efficient production and storage of hydrogen fuels. Honda, however, seems to be closing in with an answer as it renews its research partnership with Plug Power Inc., an established leader in the deployment of clean, reliable, on-site energy products. Today, Plug Power Inc. announced that it signed two new agreements with Honda R&D Company, Ltd. of Japan—agreements that will further expand the two companies’ collaborative research efforts about fuel cells.

The first of the two agreements covers the continued development of the Home Energy Station, a system developed jointly by the two companies that is already entering its fourth phase. The said system is designed to provide electricity and heat to houses while providing hydrogen fuel for fuel cell vehicles. In its current form, the system is 30 percent smaller and produces 25 percent more power than its predecessor.

The second agreement covers the fundamental research and development that Plug Power is conducting under the funding of Honda. In particular, this agreement concerns the advancement of technology for future Home Energy Stations as well as for more generalized applications.

With the two agreements already signed and disclosed to the public, let’s just hope that the two companies are tracking the right direction in solving the drawbacks of a fuel cell vehicle. Let us also hope that the eventual result of the two companies’ continuous research and development be seen on our homes and vehicles, soon.

Just a day after America heard President Bush’s plea for the development of alternative sources of energy in his State of the Union address, GM immediately came up with an answer. The corporation’s answer: two new hybrid vehicles!

The news came out Wednesday after GM confirmed earlier reports that it will start building two new hybrid sport utility vehicles—the Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon—by the end of the year in Arlington, Texas, with the vehicles’ transmissions to be developed at a transmission plant in Baltimore, Maryland. But the two new vehicles are not just ordinary vehicles. These vehicles will make use of the two-mode hybrid technology.

The two-mode hybrid technology is a technology developed by GM in partnership with Chrysler Corporation. The technology has been unveiled earlier in the North American International Auto Show with the Graphyte SUV and the Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid concept vehicles. Like most other hybrids, the two-mode hybrid technology allows vehicles to run in either gasoline or electricity. The difference is that the technology uses two motors together with the vehicle’s engine and offers two modes of fuel optimization—the input split mode and the compound split mode.

The input split mode is designed for low speed driving and moderate load trailer towing. In this mode, the vehicle can run with just the engine, just the motor, or with both the engine and the motor. In any instance where one of the electric motors will be used to drive the vehicle, the other motor would serve as a generator.

The compound split mode, on the other hand, is designed to optimize fuel consumption at higher speeds. In this second mode, the two motors would operate selectively in motoring or generating modes depending on the vehicle speed. This mode also allows the electric motors to aid in the operation of other engine technologies like the Displacement on Demand or DoD.

With the two-mode hybrid technology, GM claims that the mileage of SUVs would increase by 25%. For the GMC Yukon, that would mean jumping to the 20 mpg range from the 16 mpg range. Well that’s definitely a big fuel improvement.