visits the Detroit Auto Show to illustrate that, in order to attract buyers,
cars have become even bigger and more powerful.
travels to the AltWheels Festival in Boston to look at some of the alternative-energy
vehicles currently available.
explains how petroleum is turned into gasoline.
notes that the current U.S. infrastructure supports the delivery of gasoline,
making it difficult for an alternative energy source to take hold.
presents efforts in Iceland to convert to hydrogen vehicles.
illustrates how hydrogen fuel cells work.
explains how Iceland produces hydrogen, which, despite being the most abundant
element in the universe, does not exist naturally in pure form.
reports on efforts to make ethanol a viable alternative fuel source.
looks at research to produce ethanol from cellulosic biomass, the woody
structure that supports plants.
details work being done at MIT's Sloan Automotive Laboratory to increase
the efficiency of combustion engines.
considers the impact of regulation on fuel economy.
looks at the Hypercar, a vehicle made of lightweight but strong composite
carbon fiber.
surveys current energy-efficient cars on the market, including standard
hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles that are powered by energy
derived from sources other than petroleum.
considers what needs to happen if alternative vehicles are to become
commonplace.
