Faith in the long-term future of the internal combustion engine is hard to come by at the headquarters of most automakers. Sure, for the immediate future we're all still going to be driving around in cars, trucks and SUVs powered by engines burning some sort of petroleum product. But over the horizon lies the fuel cell — a device that generates direct current (DC) electricity through electrochemical conversion without generating any pollution. Unless you've got tenure in MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, you probably can't build a working fuel cell at home, and even explaining how they work takes more space than is available here (though we gave it our best shot in BMW's Paradigm Shift), but GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai, BMW, Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan and Honda all see a fuel cell-powered future coming.

As we've witnessed during the 1990s and these first few years of the 21st century, alternative fuel vehicles of many types can fill important roles in niche, and sometimes mass, markets.

While the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius introduced us to hybrid technology, they also introduced us to styling that was, well, unusual. But today, hybrids can easily be mistaken for internal combustion engine vehicles thanks to hybrid versions of the Honda Civic and Accord, Toyota Highlander, Ford Escape and Lexus RX that look nearly identical to their gasoline counterparts.

When I exited the hotel with Steve to drive the Honda FCX, I headed straight for the vehicle that was on display with the other fuel cell cars just outside the entrance of the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood.

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In the not-too-distant future, that blur in the fast lane is as likely to be motivated by a high-tech hybrid power plant as it is an exotic, high-horsepower internal combustion engine. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Gas-electric hybrid vehicles are beginning to emerge in various forms these days, from Honda's mainstream Civic Hybrid and Toyota's acclaimed Prius to Ford's hybrid Escape SUV. Ultimately, hybrid power plants will become just another option at the showroom.

As the number and type of hybrid cars grow, consumer interest in these vehicles increases as well. What initially appealed to a select group of environmentalists is now being bought and considered by more mainstream buyers.

There's a quiet green revolution going on. While automakers have been talking up a future filled with biodiesel, hydrogen fuel cells and even ethanol, they've been very quietly integrating parts made from biobased materials into their present-day cars and trucks.

When you shop for your next car, one of your top questions should be, "What kind of fuel economy does it get?" Gas prices are rising and many experts feel they will continue the upward trend indefinitely. Be prepared by making fuel economy your top priority.

For nearly 100 years Americans have enjoyed inexpensive gas, diesel fuel and petroleum products. As recently as the 1990s, gas prices were below one dollar for a gallon. Now it seems, the prices are reaching new highs every week and the cost of a barrel of oil is over $60. This was unthinkably high only five years ago.