For now, choose gas/electric hybrid

There are online offers of kits that convert cars to run on water, but these should be viewed skeptically.

The kits, which attach to the engine, use electrolysis to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen, and then inject the hydrogen into the engine's combustion process to power the car along with the gasoline. Doing this supposedly makes the engine more efficient.

However, experts say the energy equation is not, in reality, efficient at all.

The system uses more energy making hydrogen than the resulting hydrogen supplies, said Dr. Fabio Chiara, research scientist at the Center for Automotive Research at Ohio State University.

Moreover, the amount of greenhouse gases produced is more because two combustion process are involved, Chiara said.

Finally, H2 is flammable and explosive and requires special care, he said.

The electrolysis process could save energy if a renewable, non-polluting source such as solar or wind could be harnessed to power it.

Researchers today put more focus on using hydrogen to power fuel cells, which can replace internal combustion engines and emit only water from the tailpipe.

Hydrogen fuel cell cars are gaining traction, but commercialization of hydrogen fuel has not yet been accomplished.

"Many challenges must be overcome before fuel cell systems will be a competitive alternative for consumers," according to researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Many companies are working on ways to produce, store and dispense hydrogen. Cars powered by fuel cells are in prototype stages now.

While we wait to see how that shakes out, the best choice today for high mileage and low emissions is still the gasoline/electric hybrid car.

From the editors of E/The Environmental Magazine

For information visit car. eng.ohio-state.edu or www. nrel.gov.