Most of the auto manufacturers throughout the world are working feverishly to create cars that are smaller, more efficient and run on alternatives to fossil fuels.  There are now vehicles that run on hybrid engines, vehicles that run on biofuels, solar powered vehicles and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Of course, many of these vehicles are still in the experimental stage, with scientists, researchers and auto manufacturers looking closely at them – literally microscopically – to determine flaws and discover ways to improve the vehicles.

BMW is also participating in world wide efforts to create cars powered by alternative types of energy.  BMW is known for excellent automobiles and plans to use their high technology to produce a Mini that will live up to BMW’s standards.  “By introducing the Mini E, the BMW Group is underscoring the resolve with which it works towards reducing energy consumption and emissions in road traffic,” the company said.  BMW, as well as potential customers await the introduction the Mini E at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2008.

There is a catch, however.  Only 500 of these tiny and efficient cars will come to the United States and will be leased – not sold – at a hefty price of $850 per month, which is more than some people’s rent or house payment. They will only be available in New York, California and New Jersey as a test to see how well the market accepts the car and what consumers think.  In addition, the test will help uncover any changes or upgrades that might be necessary. 

Your $850 per month comes complete with all maintenance and repairs needed. The Mini E will be stylish with a big yellow plug logo painted on the roof and a serial number on the front bumper of each car. The car can be re-charged overnight in a regular outlet, or in 2.5 hours through a special high-speed charger.  The one drawback is that the car will be a two-seater at this point, because the battery is behind the seats and takes up a lot of space.  The future will determine whether or not there will be a smaller battery, and how soon it could be available.

There are always plusses and minuses when it comes to creating new products and ideas.  BMW is now stepping up to join the fight for workable and logical alternatives for fossil fuels.

Brazil has quietly become a leader in the efforts to decrease dependence on fossil fuels.  In doing so, they are providing the world – especially the United States – some ideas and methods that should be taken note of.

First of all, after the fuel crisis in the 1970s Brazil moved forward looking for and acting on solutions. 

One of the solutions is to look at a variety of sources that can be turned into biofuels.  Sugar, various plant oil feedstock, starches (which can be turned into sugar) and oilseeds are all excellent sources.  In addition researchers are looking at which of the thousands of types of algae would be appropriate to produce biofuels.  Also, one more piece of the biofuel puzzle could be the use of animal fat from cattle, pigs, fish and poultry.  At present, there is extensive research regarding the technology needed to be able to use all these sources to create biofuel.

There are already proven and cost-effective technologies available to be able to produce biofuels from sugar crops, starch and oilseeds.  Scientists, researchers and farmers are working to create high yields from these crops.

For commercial transportation there are additional fuels needing additional types of treatment and technology.  To create biodiesel and/or ethanol, government subsidies are needed, and in Brazil and other countries, this is taking place.  For these two types of fuel essential to the transportation industry, there is an extra process that turns them from regular biofuel to biodiesel or ethanol.  This can be lucrative if the technology is efficient enough, and researchers at looking at ways to see how this can all happen. 

Energy economists worldwide are in agreement that biofuel is critical and that “mix biofuels” will be an essential when it comes to powering vehicles.  Bio refineries will be needed to produce the quantities needed, and researchers are working toward developing an effective system of these refineries.

One thing that Brazil did after the crisis in the 1970’s was to shift the major portion of their use of petroleum to bioethanol.  This saved them nearly $50 billion in their oil import bills.  In addition, the change to bioethanol from petroleum created over one million jobs, most of them rural.

With all the conversations regarding alternatives to imported foreign oil for fuel, Brazil’s bold move forward in the late 1970’s through today is important for the world to look at.  Other countries, such as India and  China whose economies are weighed down by high oil import bills would be helped by using ideas similar to Brazil’s, and the United States would definitely benefit by using some of the alternatives and making at least some of the changes that Brazil has made.