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.

As we look at the rush toward finding the best alternative fuels and the best ways to distribute them and provide choices for the American people and people in countries around the world, some things that may not be as obvious to us besides creating independence from fossil fuels are the additional benefits of this quest.

Of course, alternative fuel will cut or eliminate our dependence on foreign oil.  We also know that there are benefits to the environment for various reasons, especially lower or no emissions and more self-containment.

In addition, there are plusses for the economy and employment, which are inextricably linked.  With the economy in the shape it is in, some good news about economical improvement and more jobs is music to the ears of politicians and just plain everyday people.

Before we get too over-the-top excited, it is important to remember that this is not an overnight fix.  Though there are many organizations, corporations, cities, states and the federal government working diligently to find ways to develop fuel alternatives and some have already started their work – it will take time for the migration from fossil fuels to the “greener” alternatives to take place. 

Researchers estimate that it can take up to 2.5 to 3 decades for the transition to be complete, but along the way, at least 4.2 million jobs will be created, new training opportunities will exist, and additional jobs will be added along the way.  Jobs can involve every area from working on wind turbines for energy to creating alternative fuel – and everything in between.

In all, it is agreed by lawmakers and corporate executives alike that a concerted effort to use various forms of alternative fuel and energy and continue working hard to do this sooner rather than later will make a positive contribution to the environment, the economy and employment prospects from here forward.

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.

This is a good question that has been asked in the 80’s during the last major fuel crisis, and is being asked in some places in the country now, during the current fuel crisis.  So what ever happened to the movement toward CNG as a good alternative to the usual gasoline?

Another good question.  During the 80’s, CNG was an idea whose time had come.  It began being used in many municipalities throughout the country to power mass transit vehicles, such as buses, as well as government employee vehicles and vehicles for many organizations throughout the country. 

At that time there was a push toward using CNG and there were fuel stations that began carrying CNG.  Automakers were beginning to create the double tanks needed to carry enough fuel to help cars travel long enough distances to make it worth their while. 

Once the fuel crisis of the 80’s ended and the hysteria died down, so did the interest in building the CNG supply.   Where there were once ideas regarding how to create more filling stations and how to make it feasible for even private individuals to have CNG tanks, there was simply no activity.  It was as though this was just forgotten.

Some municipalities continued to use CNG and still use it today for many of their vehicles.  Some continued to quietly develop CNG and look for the ways and means of distributing and using it.  As a result, there is still an interest in CNG as an alternative fuel.

With fuel prices topping $4 per gallon, which is much higher than it cost during the 1980’s and much higher than the $1.50 per gallon for CNG, interest is building continually.  Many of the ideas and plans being put forth for alternative fuels today include CNG.  It is readily available.  It burns clean.  It is cost effective.  It diminishes foreign oil dependence.  It eliminates the need for at least a portion of fossil fuels.

With all of these positives, even with the obstacles, CNG may be worth a second look.

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and many inventions have resulted out of necessity.  As the fuel crisis has become more expensive and more frustrating that is what has happened.

There has been extensive research into coal as an alternative to various fuel sources.  Coal can be treated in various ways, including liquefaction,  to create different types of fuel.

Recently, there have been developments involving waste coal that will factor into the fuel crisis and the search for alternative sources of fuel, especially in an effort to replace natural gas. 

To determine the feasibility of creating an alternative fuel from waste coal, two companies have joined forces to research the possibilities.  One company, Synthesis Energy Systems, builds gasification plants and the other, is the largest producer of coal in the United States.

Together they will use coal that would otherwise end up in landfills to produce methanol, ethanol, mixed alcohol, ammonia and SNG.  The gasification process used, called “U-Gas” would create fuel alternatives and alternatives to higher priced natural gas without creating emissions and pollution that other processes create.

The U-Gas system is normally used to create synthesis gas, also called syngas.  Syngas is a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and has half the density of natural gas.  Since it is made with waste coal an has little or no emissions, it creates a win-win situation for the environment.

The processes being used for this venture have been under development for nearly thirty years, however, the benefit will be that instead of ending up in landfills, 20 million tons of waste coal might now be able to be turned into usable, affordable fuel, helping the economy, the environment and the fuel crisis all at the same time.

One of the signs that things have changed with relation to fuel and fuel prices is the fact that fuel-guzzling vehicles are no longer in demand.  In fact, in many cases, because of huge fuel price increases, it is hard, if not impossible, to even give them away. 

SUV’s and large trucks that do not get good mileage were status symbols not long ago.  Within the past year as fuel prices have continued to rise, prices for these vehicles have continued to drop.  Vehicles that cost $20,000 to $40,000  less than a year ago are being sold – or as some people say, given away – for well under $10,000. 

These are signs that things have changed and are continuing to change when it comes to the way we view transportation and fuel.  Not only are individuals, families and consumers realizing this, but so are car companies that have been producing those large and inefficient vehicles.

As a result, auto makers are changing the way they do business and changing their factories to match.  They are making adjustments to coincide with the adjustments that have taken place in the vehicle market due to the fuel crisis.

Ford Motor Company, for example, has begun to change many of its truck factories and adapt them so that they will be able to produce smaller, fuel efficient vehicles, such as the Ford Focus.  The factories will be retooled and this retooling will begin in November. 

These adjustments are important because they are intelligent.  This retooling will cost million of dollars, but save thousands of jobs.  It will help the economy by providing a product that people need and a product that will conserve fuel and energy and ultimately help the environment.

Other auto makers are looking at following Ford’s example in similar ways.  This makes sense for them financially – why keep producing products that won’t sell when you can produce more products that you already produce that you know will sell?  In addition to making financial sense for the auto makers, there will be benefits to the country and its citizens as we have already discussed.

So, one more sign that it is time to deal with the fuel crisis head on is the fact that politicians are talking about it and industry – including automakers – is actually doing something about it. 

With some concerted effort, there can be progress, and with progress, we just might get through this crisis and change the way we look at and use fuel forever.

Even though prices for fuel have gone down a bit during the past few weeks, the fuel crisis is still alive and well.  After all, we are still looking for alternative fuel sources as well as taking less vacations and trying to conserve on our driving. 

There are huge issues as far as the airlines are concerned, as well.  After all, the gas tanks on airplanes are so much larger than the ones on our cars. 

We are looking at alternatives for fuel everywhere.  Plants are being seriously considered.  Vegetable oils, steam and other substances are being tested, tried, experimented with and looked at closely to try to end dependence on fossil fuels. 

Biodiesel and other eco friendly, sustainable and renewable fuels are being looked at closely as alternatives to the fuels that we have relied on through the end of the 20th century.  As we move further into the 21st century, we are moving forward toward alternatives that will do a better job for all of us in the future.

The airline industry is pursuing alternative fuels that can be created at home rather than being purchased abroad.  Ongoing studies have yielded ideas for these alternatives, but most of them are still being developed.  Unfortunately, it is essential to find alternatives that will work now. 

Jet engines run on kerosene but can be retrofitted to run on other fuels, such as hydrogen.  There is a logistical problem with this, however, in that in order for jets to run on hydrogen, they would have to be fitted with massive tanks for the fuel.  In today’s economy, that might be an overwhelming financial issue.

There are synthetic fuels available, notably from South Africa, using coal as a base.  Because these synthetic fuels are blends and work like actual jet fuel, planes will not have to be redesigned to use this fuel source.  Numerous American companies are now creating these fuels and will be able to provide millions of gallons in the near future.  Another biofuel made from tree oil will be tested this spring b several of the major air carriers.  In addition, algae-based fuel is being developed.

It may take some time for these developments to be available on a wide scale, however there are alternatives for the airlines.  Maybe vacations are not a thing of the past after all.

When we think of the fuel crisis most of us think of our own commute to work or to the grocery store or to pick up the kids from school.  We might think of some of the trucks that we see on the highways, or, when we see the prices rising at the market we remember that the trucks that are transporting our milk, bread, meat and vegetables – and everything in between – are paying a heavy price to stay in business, in fact, in the first quarter of 2008 alone, over 1,000 trucking companies went out of business.

One of the areas we don’t seem to think of much is that of fishing.  If you have noticed that the price of fish at your local market has gone up considerably, it is because of the same fuel crisis that the truckers, their families and our families are experiencing. 

Fishing boats use diesel fuel, which used to be the least expensive of the major fuels, but now is one of the most expensive.  The fishing boats that had to pull in 50 fish to break even, now have to pull in 70 or 75, making it much more expensive for them to do their work.  Fish that cost $2 or $3 per pound a year or two ago cost twice that now.

Some fishing crews in other countries have reported using smaller boats, often without using motors, in an effort to save money because there is little or no fuel involved.  Fishing crews are doing all they can to try to survive – making a profit is not even a possibility in many cases.  In fact, some smaller fishing businesses are reportedly only able to afford to catch enough to sell a very minimal amount of fish locally and save the rest to feed their families.

When dealing with the fuel crisis in our own businesses and families, it is important to note that none of us except perhaps the super-rich is immune to the far-reaching effects.  Only time will tell how this crisis will be harnessed and if we will move beyond it into a better economy.