They are transitions, still tethered to fossil fuels - an energy source that society may need to replace by 2020, a DaimlerChrysler executive predicts. Every other major car maker is investing in fuel cells as replacements for today's gasoline engines. The German-American DaimlerChrysler promises a fuel cell, which turns a chemical reaction's energy directly into electricity, in vehicles by 2004. Already in industrial use, fuel cells can use hydrogen or other clean fuels. There's no combustion - so no more hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide or soot.
Big obstacles remain.
Transportation Forget space travel. As long as the population surges, highway traffic will remain a problem well into the first third of this century. The big question for the future of regional flight, such as from Dallas Love Field, is whether the Wright amendment, which limits direct flights for Southwest Airlines, stays in place. With or without the Wright amendment, Southwest and Love Field are expected to grow. But if the Wright amendment were removed and other airlines moved into Love Field, more flights and a more competitive market could be had at Love Field, Mr. Stewart acknowledged.