Articles About Alternative Fuels and Fuel-Efficient Cars

Ninety-seven percent of our transportation fuel comes from petroleum, but that's slowly starting to change. Learn about diversification of the American fuel supply—the benefits and the challenges.

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Energy Department Cuts Funding for Fuel Cell Cars: In the 2010 budget that the administration is submitting to Congress, Energy Secretary Stephen Chu proposed slashing more than $100 million from the Energy Department's hydrogen program. That's a cut of almost 60 percent and one that will almost entirely come from transportation. Dr. Chu said yesterday that he holds little hope for fuel cell cars in the coming decades. In a press briefing, he said, “We asked ourselves, 'Is it likely in the next 10 or 15, 20 years that we will covert to a hydrogen car economy?' The answer, we felt, was 'no.'”
Garbage, Fuel and Economics: An Interview with BlueFire Ethanol’s Arnold Klann: To get a better understanding of the current state of the cellulosic ethanol industry, we spoke with Arnold Klann, CEO and co-founder of BlueFire Ethanol. BlueFire uses a patented process in which mixed municipal waste—lingo for green garbage headed toward a landfill—is broken down into sugar and fermented into ethanol. That’s right. BlueFire wants to turn your garbage into America’s next great fuel. But as Klan explained, that dream remains elusive.
Bentley’s Biofuel Bargain: Leaving no doubt that the green car movement is reaching into the furthest recesses of the automobile industry, Bentley Motors—the British-based ultra-luxury brand—has adopted a pro-biofuels policy. The carmaker, owned by Volkswagen, produces some of the world’s most expensive automobiles, but that doesn’t exempt the company from moving in an eco-friendly direction.
General Clark's Ethanol March: The future of ethanol in the United States is bleak. Gas prices are low, ethanol plants are idling, and a host of new projects have been put on hold or canceled entirely. Nevertheless, a number of well-funded industry groups in Washington are committed to expanding the use of corn ethanol.
The Silver Bullet: Plug-in Biofuel Hybrids: The trash bin of car history is filled with attempts to produce an emissions-free petroleum-liberated automobile. None of worked out so far, and many people are ready to give up. That’s a shame, because the silver bullet could be standing right before us: the plug-in biofuel hybrid.
Report: Poop-Powered Hydrogen Cars Show Promise: New research from Kajima, a Japanese company, and Tokyo University, suggests that microbes from human waste could be a good source of energy for hydrogen fuel cell cars. This follows a number of recent reports about the potential to use methane as an energy source.
Obama's Sellout to Big Corn: Last Wednesday, President-elect Barack Obama announced former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as his choice to be the next Secretary of Agriculture. The appointment has fueled growing concern from ethanol critics, who worry that the Obama administration may expand subsidies to an industry that they feel has already received more than its fair share of generosity from Washington.
Hollywood Pushes for Fuel Cell Cars: Perhaps the only time you’ve heard about fuel cell vehicles is when Hollywood stars roll up to the red carpet. Stars with a green streak are more than happy to lend their name to the cause of emission-free motoring, and car companies will do what’s necessary to promote their forward-thinking advanced technologies. What's the latest from LA?
Lusting for Europe's Illegal 60-MPG Cars: If you crave high gas mileage but aren’t a stickler about low emissions, then a European diesel-powered car will beat out a hybrid any day. The only problem: They are illegal in the US.
6 Cool European Electric Cars Never Coming to the US: The European tradition of coachbuilding—the manufacturing of carriages—dates back to the 1700s. These days, it refers to the high-end auto design firms, such as Rolls Royce and Ferrari, which build custom-designed specialty vehicles. Like nearly every automaker in the world, coachbuilders are going green, by designing and building all-electric vehicles. But don’t hold your breath for these cool electricity-powered rides to make it across the pond.