Alt fuel news round-up

Worldwide, news has been popping up right and left improving the prospects for alternative fuels. And that means greener motoring options are on their way to you:

• Does 100 mpg excite you? A bill was recently introduced by several Senate Finance Committee members to boost the development of commercially viable plug-in hybrids. Now would be a good time to let your senator know that you support affordable, clean electric transportation.
• The Volt is coming--and hopefully sooner than previously anticipated. It looks like some changes at General Motors Corp. may prepare the Chevrolet Volt, the hydrogen fuel-cell, electric-drive concept car for mainstream production by 2010. Go, fuel-cell engineers, go!
• Hertz has some hybrid competition. Avis will also be offering the Toyota Prius for rent beginning in the next week. With about 1,000 of the fuel sippers ready to roll, rates are said to be $69.95 daily.
• Now you'll like IKEA even more. Yes, this Swedish home furnishings retailer is going hybrid. With plans to cut its carbon emissions by 9 percent by 2010, the company is going to purchase 50 Honda Civic Hybrids for use in their UK fleet. They're the first private company in the UK to use a hybrid fleet.
• Hydrogen is happenin'. At the Revolve Eco-Rally, that is, the largest ever gathering of hydrogen powered cars. Did you know that Ford has developed a hydrogen powered Explorer? That's right, only clean, pure H₂0 exhaust from this SUV. But the good news from this Rally doesn't stop there--also in attendance: BMW's Hydrogen 7, Saab's 9-5 Biopower, and Honda's Civic Hybrid. Plus another hydrogen fueling station opened outside the Norsk Hydro oil and gas company's research center at Heroya, Porsgrunn in Norway.

Yes indeed, it's been a good week for hybrids and alt fuel vehicles.