National
Alternative Fuel Cars are show-stoppers
By Kendra J. Richardson
Dec 9, 2006 - 8:16:17 AM

SANTA MONICA - For those that seek to find new and interesting vehicles that also adhered to their environmentally conscious mind found a great display on Saturday December 9th at the world's largest Alternative Fuel Car Show.
   The alternative car show started at 9 a.m. on a bright sunny day at the Santa Monica Airport Barker Hanger. The show was only in town for two days, but residents who were lucky enough to attend the free event were able to ask questions and learn more about the companies producing the cars.
   Many companies were present at the show, such H2 Motorworks, a company that can convert the internal combustion of a vehicle so that it is able to run on hydrogen also. The car the displayed at the show was a yellow Chevy SSR with a Corvette engine which had been converted to run on gasoline or hydrogen.

   According to "Hydro" Gene Johnson, "You can get 30% to 40% more miles with hydrogen [cars]." In addition, having a hydrogen-run car can make it easier to install a home hydrogen system, similar to what Honda currently has.Johnson said this will be the first step in "self-sustaining," teaching drivers not to be dependent on harmful fuel.
   Juliana Saldane from Honda also agrees, and their Phill by Fuel Maker unit was showcased at the event. The home fuel unit, which costs $2500, would take natural gas out of the home, such as the gas from a heater or stove, and convert it into compressed natural gas. The system will refuel the car overnight, but if taken to a refueling station, it can cost as low as $1.00 per gallon to refill the car.

   While using hydrogen cars is one way to help the environment, the VW cars can be converted from any diesel engine into a biodiesel engine.
   Tom Francis, owner of the small business biomoto, said that taking vegetable oil, which is "plant based, and removing the glycerine" would result in natural fuel for the cars. The Passat TDI on display achieved
up to the low 30s pmh in the cities, but it Francis stressed it really "depends on how a person drives." The VW company is producing new environmentally friendly cars in 2008, costing anywhere from $20,000 to $34,000.

   The highlight of the car show, however, was the Xebra Sedan. The car is a product of Little Radio EV, and costs as low as $10,000. One of the interesting things about the car is that it has one wheel in the front, which qualifies it as a motorcycle. The frame was made in China, and the battery is produced in Santa Rosa. The 2,000 pound car has a "simple shock system," according to Dan Goshin, a representative of the company, but said the car is one of the fastest at the show, going up to 52 mph. It can be recharged with any 110 volt outlet.

   Viewers at the car show were also given opportunities test drive the cars. For those that brought their checkbooks with them, some cars were even available for purchase.