While no strong consumer preference has emerged, hybrid electric vehicles have won the spotlight recently as two major manufacturers have begun mass production and other car makers have announced intentions to produce HEVs within the next few years. Both Honda and Toyota introduced HEVs to the mass market in 2000. The Honda version, called the Insight, recently went through extensive tests conducted by Phillips and engineering students from the University of Tulsa. The Phillips-owned test vehicle shown in the photo achieved 73 miles per gallon in city driving. Further reductions in battery size and weight and increases in storage capacity may create a niche market for electric cars, especially among commuters who are not inconvenienced by the need for regular recharging.
Electric cars have the advantage of much lower emissions than conventional vehicles.
However, the burden of pollution control is shifted to the power plants where the electricity is generated. Ethanol blends are available in several states. Efforts are under way by ethanol producers to reduce the cost of ethanol while also expanding facilities to manufacture and distribute it. Currently the ethanol industry is supported by certain fuel standards, codes and state and federal price subsidies. Cleaner burning than conventional fuels, natural gas can be used in vehicles as compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas.