| Drivers in the U.S. are buying hybrid vehicles, not | | | | federal energy bill that encourages the use of |
| because they want them, but because they can't | | | | fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles and offers |
| afford to drive any other type of car. With gas prices | | | | substantial tax breaks. The bill proclaims that |
| setting all-time records and heading toward $4 per | | | | high-efficiency vehicles, either hybrid or diesel, will |
| gallon, consumers are forced to drive a car that gets | | | | receive credits on a sliding scale based on efficiency. |
| the most miles per dollar spent. That's an overpriced | | | | Let me translate - "credits" mean MONEY! The |
| hybrid car.The truth is that hybrids may get better | | | | maximum credit for light-duty vehicles is expected to |
| mileage than a traditional car, but it's nothing to write | | | | be about $3,400.When Uncle Sam starts handing out |
| home about. First, hybrids cost more. The slightly better | | | | cash, two exciting things begin happening. Number One: |
| mileage means that if you keep your hybrid car for | | | | Lobbyist begin shoveling it into their pockets. Number |
| from 3 to 5 years you may make up for the higher | | | | two: Lights go on in garages all across the country as |
| cost. That doesn't seem like such a good deal, does it? | | | | inventors strive to solve the problem. You might say |
| But it's all we have and that's why folks are buying the | | | | they are burning the midnight oil - one of the few fuels |
| darn things.The good news is that big improvements | | | | that is not necessarily in short supply.Some point out |
| are on the way. AFS Trinity Power Corp. has been | | | | that there is already a system to make biodiesel from |
| awarded a patent for a new flywheel technology that | | | | vegetable oils for as little as 70 cents a gallon. This fuel |
| is expected to be used in second-generation flywheel | | | | does not contribute to global warming, has no |
| diesel hybrid trucks and buses.This new flywheel within | | | | obnoxious odor and is overall pollutant-free. Did you |
| a flywheel technology is expected to make possible | | | | know that years ago Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel |
| two key functions in both automobile and stationary | | | | engine to run on peanut oil? Nutty, huh?Another |
| power systems that utilize fuel cells and/or micro | | | | alternative mentioned from time to time is alcohol fuel, |
| turbines. The problem is that these gadgets are | | | | or ethanol. It is usually made from fermented corn; it |
| constant power output devices, which means they | | | | blends as much as 85 percent alcohol and 15 percent |
| can't speed up fast enough for acceptable | | | | gasoline and runs gasoline engines very nicely. Oh, it |
| acceleration and passing. The new flywheel gizmo | | | | has a minor drawback, if you consider being highly |
| may correct that.Is this the huge breakthrough in | | | | explosive a drawback. That stuff could turn a Morris |
| automotive propulsion that we've been waiting for? | | | | Mini into a rocket ship!Yes, I hate the hybrids... of today, |
| Probably not, but it's an indication that a bunch of really | | | | but I just can't wait to see what's coming |
| smart people are working on the problem of | | | | tomorrow.Mark Walters writes about hybrid vehicles at |
| developing a car that gets a million miles per gallon... or | | | | and offers a free course titled Car Buying Tips. |
| something like that.President Bush recently signed a | | | | |