From what I've read Marc - Ethanol alone will not be enough - our consumption is too great...society would have to change....American society that is...the disparity between what we could produce vs what we currently consume is amazing....I mean the amount we use just to drive our cars to and from work collectively, is astonishing.  That said, I'm not discouraged - but I sometimes wonder how long (and what) it's going to take...

Many electric cars, with their batteries, are dangerous as hell when they get smashed...

Here's a compressed air/combustion engine that's been developed - I wouldn't put my son in it, but I think it's cool as hell..

http://science.discovery.com/fansites/discoveriesthisweek/videogallery/videogallery.html?myClip=dtw_aircar

[taking a page (from the '80's Keystone Beer campaign 'Wouldn't it Be Cool?') - what if NASCAR sponsored alternate fuel powered races?]

Alright, I'll admit I'm a little discouraged.  But if style (I've always wanted a Corsair convertible), has to be sacrificed for safety and efficiency - so be it...