As difficult as it may be to believe, interest in alternative fuel vehicles actually pre-dates the launch of AutoblogGreen a little more than two years ago. Another fact that may be tough to swallow is that the BBC's Top Gear was not always the hour of silliness we see today with Clarkson, Hammond and May. In fact Top Gear's current format only began in 2002. Going back in time it had a more staid magazine style format with hosts such as William Woollard. Way back in 1990, Woollard did a pair of segments on alternative fuels and the threat of Global Warming from increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Watching these 18 year old segments, it seems not a lot has changed. Woollard looked at hydrogen with an early prototype of the BMW Hydrogen 7, methanol, CNG, solar powered EVs and even hybrids. The GM Impact, the precursor to the EV1, even makes a brief appearance while discussing battery electric vehicles. In that pre-lithium ion era, sodium sulfur batteries seemed to be one possible solution to range and weight problem of storing electrons. Although such batteries were tested by automakers, the high operating temperatures (up to 350 °C) limited their usefulness. Nonetheless, the similar Zebra batteries are still being evaluated today and used in some applications. Check out the videos after the jump. Thanks to Joseph for the tip!

[Source: YouTube]

At the Management Briefing Seminar in Traverse City on Friday Chrysler's Loren Beard made some remarks that would come as a surprise to those who think that the automakers are in the pocket of the oil companies. Beard is the Senior Manager of Energy Planning and Policy and he spoke about the five groups that are trying to stop alternative fuels.

The first and most obvious is the big oil companies that want to protect their market. OPEC should also come as no surprise since most member countries have economies that are almost entirely dependent on the flow of high dollar crude oil. Another is what Beard describes as "Silver Bullet" carmakers who are trying to sell some new technology that will solve everything as long as there is no competition.

Agri-business companies also get called out because they want the focus to be on biofuels from corn and soy rather than other alternatives. Lastly comes what he calls Fringe Environmental Groups. Their problem with them is that they need to keep people afraid that none of the currently available technology can help. Keeping people on edge helps them attract donations. Click the Read link to hear Loren Beard discuss the five groups.

[Source: Chrysler]

Robert Rapier of the blog The Oil Drum gives his opinions on alternative fuel sources, and compares them with traditional fossil fuels. In fact, below is a list of topics he covers, and links to matching articles from us here at AutologGreen.

• Liquid Fossil Fuels [Here for articles from ABG]
• Grain Ethanol [Here for articles from ABG]
• Sugarcane Ethanol [Here for articles from ABG]
• Cellulosic Ethanol [Here for articles from ABG]
• Biodiesel [Here for articles from ABG]
• Biomass Gasification [Here for articles from ABG]
• Wind and Solar [Here and here for articles from ABG]
• And he includes a section on Conservation [Here for articles from ABG]

Each of these topics is compared on these points:

• Is the energy source sustainable?
• What are the potential negative externalities of producing/using this energy source?
• What is the EROEI, or energy returned on energy invested?
• Is it affordable?
• Are there better alternatives?
• Are there other special considerations?
• In summary, are the advantages of the source large enough to justify any negative consequences?

These are all good questions to be asked, and I suggest at least checking out what he has to say on the points above. The site focuses on oil in general, and, according to their front page, "Discussions about Energy and Our Future". Left off his list is Hydrogen. Here are ABG articles dealing with the State of the Union.

Note, the links I provided are by no means the only articles here at ABG on each topic, they are merely the tip of the iceberg.

[Source: Robert Rapier / The Oil Drum]

The Santa Monica Art Center will play host to an auto show dedicated to alternative fuel and high mileage vehicles on December 9 and 19 10, 2006. The show, The Alternative Car and Transportation Expo, is being sponsored by the City of Santa Monica along with a slew of companies that are in the business and is intended to be the biggest, most diverse exhibition ever of hybrids, electric, natural gas, and hydrogen vehicles along with other technologies. Along with the four wheeled vehicles, they will also have electric bikes, mopeds, scooters. Over 100 of these advanced and high mileage vehicles will be on display in the Barker Hanger. Thanks to the city and the companies which are sponsoring the event, admission will be free.

In contrast to typical car shows that consist of static exhibits of all the cars, this show will feature lots of opportunities for the attendees to learn about and experience green vehicles. The show will include a ride and drive area so that people can actually find out what it's like to drive some of the cars. Exhibitors at the AltCar Expo will include American Honda Motor Company, Tesla Motors (maker of a high-performance electric sports car), Toyota, Zap, Segway, Louroe Electronics, AC Propulsion, Miles Automotive, Clean Energy, and Feel Good Cars Corporation and others. The show will also have displays and seminars to teach people about the technology, mass transit, and the tax breaks that are available to help purchase these kinds of vehicles. Some of the vehicles will even be available for immediate purchase at the show. If you are in the Santa Monica area in early December it's probably worth stopping by the show just to see some of these vehicles and maybe try some out.

[Source: TheAutoChannel, thanks to Rebecca Carter]

Ethanol was just getting entirely too much attention, so Toyota Motor Company is back on its soap box hawking hybrids and demanding equal time. The automaker addressed Congress on Wednesday, hoping to offset the support Detroit automakers are receiving over their push toward E85 fuel and remind everyone out there of the importance of hybrids. The automaker announced it could make one million hybrids a year, more than doubling the number of hybrids on the road in the United States today and contributing to lessening the country's dependence upon foreign oil. General Motors, Ford Motor Company and the Chrysler Group have all pledged to increase their hybrid investments as well, but neither will come close to knocking Toyota off as king of that particular hill.

[Source: Reuters]

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association organizes an annual competition called Tour De Sol, where inventors, students, and entrepreneurs from across the world demonstrate their innovations towards zero carbon emissions, while creating a quality affordable vehicle. This year’ Tour De Sol is being held from May 10th to the 14th at the Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, NY, and the general public is invited to come see the vehicles on display on Saturday, May 13th. NESEA also sends out an invite to all hybrid and biofuel vehicle owners to participate in a fun Fuel Efficiency Rally, and to put their vehicles on display.

Each of the vehicles competing in the Tour De Sol are tested on a number of attributes, including practicality, acceleration, handling and range in addition to fuel efficiency and low climate change emissions. The article includes a number of testimonies from teachers and students on their motivations for entering the competition. The event also includes the Around Town Vehicle Competition where vehicles are showcased designed to meet transportation needs in communities, or vehicles for non-road use. [Source: CSR Wire]