Currently one of the most common uses for methanol is in Indy and other open wheel racecars, and they have to run gasoline through the systems at the end of a race to keep from gumming up the systems during idle periods. While methanol can be extracted from most organic materials, including grain, garbage, coal, or even waste gases, the most likely source is currently natural gas, which is vented or burned off in many locales. Schrempp claims that by utilizing unused capacity natural gas produced methanol can fuel 3-5 million vehicles. He claims the corrosive and toxic problems of methanol can be addressed with new solutions and customer training, and that the industry and governments will have to define new handling and refueling standards. Natural gas is slightly less green as a methanol source than biomass or organic sources when the complete cycle is considered.
Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen and produce electricity, heat and water.
Electric motors have high acceleration, fewer moving parts, a modular structure, low emissions, high efficiency and low noise. DaimlerChrysler has over 30 fuel cell busses and will test them in 10 Euro cities in 2002. According to DaimlerChrysler VP Bernard Robertson, US examples are expected to be based on the next generation A-Class. In addition, DaimlerChrysler is currently testing trailer sized fuel cell stationary electric power units, and expects to have vehicle sized units in a few years. This could considerably alter power generation, especially in remote locations.