Ethenol isn't a waste. It's a way to temporarily run our cars if gas blips to $10.00/gallon or if we get boycotted by OPEC. People (and the government) with E85 vehicles can still get to work if that happens.
Hydrogen can't be made "easily" now for use in automobiles. It's definately in our future, but it's not cheap at this time. Like E85, it will become more affordable as time goes by. I'll be an old man by the time hydrogen fuel cell ars are on the market and even then they probably won't be affordable.
Ethenol also uses pretty much the same system as gasoline runs in the same engines, making it the number 1 immediate alternative right now.
Why not install E85 and bio-diesel stations at Chevy dealerships? Albertsons and Kroger install E85 stations in their outparcels. It's another income stream for the dealership.
Right now Ethenol cost more to make than gasoline, but with a combined higher cost of gasoline and constant improvement in mass producing ethenol from sugar cane and corn it's likely that it will become the more effective fuel. It's also cleaner running that gasoline engines.
I think that E85 (or E100) plug in hybrids are in the near future (2-10 years away), and they will have a huge impact. If gas is still unaffordable at that time, then fuel cell development will continue until a hybrid electric/fuel cell car is on the market. Development of that type of car will stop, however, if gas prices remain stable after the plug in hybrids are introduced. Gasoline and diesel powered cars will probably never go away completely (in my lifetime).
I like the idea of hydogen fuel cells, but the people demanding that they be used need to understand that that is 3 steps ahead of where we are now, and if gas prices go down or remain stable then there will not be much of a need for developing a fuel cell car to mass produce for this market.
I think the best thing right now for America to invest in would be hydroelectric and nuclear power along the eastern half of the US.
Solar power is a great way to supplement your electricity by installing panels on your roof. It may keep your Chevy Volt charging with minimum impact on your electric bill....and when you don't use much electricity, then you can sell it back to the system.
Maybe GM can design a "complete Volt package" that includes solar panels and a charging station to be installed at people's homes.
In the old days, you fed your horse at your stable....
Need this now .....since Exxon reports highest profits ever and on track already to beat last year.
They should have invested in Exxon.
