Alternative-Fuel Vehicles Gain Momentum
June 28, 2007

The number of alternative fuel automobiles on the roads has hit 11 million vehicles, according to a survey by R. L. Polk & Co., which tracks vehicle registrations

In the first quarter this year, 434,000 were sold, 27 percent increase over last year's count for the same period:
· E85-capable vehicles jumped 40 percent from 159,882 to 266,859 vehicles;
· Hybrid vehicles climbed 31 percent from 51,285 to 74,056 vehicles;
· Clean diesel technology saw sales decline slightly from 108,100 to 93,012 vehicles.

Higher gas prices, rising environmental concerns, consumer incentives and the increasing number of models available have led to the increase. The count now stands at 60 models available with hybrid-electric, clean diesel, ethanol capable, biodiesel, hydrogen or pure electric.

The Polk study, which examined consumer opinion in regard to energy, found popular opinion advocated government funding for research and development in alternative fuels.

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