Hybrids unlike fuel-cell cars and electric satisfy three requirements: reasonable prices, convenient refueling, and range unhindered by spent battery. The batteries in the Honda Insights recharge under braking, controlling their energy from their wheels. General Motors EV1 is viewed as the present savior of automotive propulsion: non-polluting fuel cells. .
Now is there is very little federal government support for either the hybrid or natural-gas-only vehicles. (Seal) However, the upcoming 2004 elections may compel the Bush Administration to back away from claims that global warming and fuel economy are not problems. The White House has opposed any increase in fuel-economy standards, which influences domestic automakers and reduces the likelihood of consumers seeing the rapid development of more fuel-efficient cars or alternative fuel powered cars.
In terms of future developments, the focus is shifting from making cars more fuel-efficient to developing cars that do not run on traditional fuels. The Bush Administration announced last year "it will work with country's Big Three car companies to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Success in the admittedly ambitious endeavor could remove cars and trucks from the energy and environmental debates altogether."" (Brown).
This alternative has perhaps the most potential, using hydrogen fuel cells for power eliminates the need for fossil fuels such as oil and would involve tapping an unlimited source for fuel. Instead of lining up at the gas pump, owners of vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells would buy tanks of liquid or gaseous hydrogen. In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen joins to oxygen taken from the air to produce electric power with no harmful emissions. The only waste material is water. The hydrogen needed is made from water using electricity.
Additional options for future development of energy efficient fuel cars include cars that run on natural gas primarily because the other alternative fuels are in very short supply or do not exist at all.
