The main concern of legislators, farmers and families about ethanol subsidies around the world is the accompanying rise in prices. Many observers are concerned that increasingly large percentages of crop yields given to fuel instead of food production will negate savings at the pump for ethanol-enriched fuels. Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based Poet Energy has recently received funding from the Department of Energy to solve this problem by using corncobs and kernel fibers for ethanol production.

The Department of Energy laid down a challenge to motor companies to improve fuel efficiency by 10 percent by converting wasted heat and exhaust. General Motors, BMW and other motor companies are using their own resources as well as DOE funding to meet this goal. The Associated Press reported recently on advancements in thermoelectric devices that are capable of converting lost heat into electrical currents.

Well, that may be a thing of the past with the ongoing development of the world’s first fully submersible car.

We have all experienced the scourge of sitting in our cars as bumper-to-bumper traffic moves at a snail’s pace along the highway. The dwindling weeks of the summer season include weekend and Labor Day trips to beaches and resorts that take twice as long as necessary due to heavy traffic. Every driver will find a point in these weekend trips where the car will be completely stopped due to construction, disabled vehicles and accidents. It is important to note the importance of putting cars in park and shutting off engines when idling lasts more than a few seconds.

The Secretary of Transportation unveiled a plan to “refocus, reform and renew” the federal government’s approach to federal highways and transit. Secretary Mary Peters spoke to a crowd at the Georgia Tech Research Institute about program consolidation and flexible funding for state highway programs. The underlying theme of Peters’ speech was that the federal government would improve safety and efficiency in the nation’s interstate highways without enforcing draconian policies on state governments.

Most motorists are familiar with the standard 3,000-mile oil change and checkup at their local lube shops and dealerships. These motorists entrust mechanics to drain out old oil and insert new blends that will help their vehicles run efficiently. It is critical for every driver to know that oil added to a vehicle matches the recommended oil by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

The upcoming release of the Typ-1 electric vehicle by California-based Aptera Motors has been buoyed by recent investments from companies like Google.com. Aptera Motors has received nearly $24 million in venture funding from Google.com, Esenjay Investments, Actacell and Idealab to advance development of the next generation of electric vehicles. The executives at Aptera Motors have stated that they want to use most of the funding to improve its production facility in Vista, California.

The designers and presenters from the NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine) Car Company may have made the greatest strides toward commercial success in the recent British International Motor Show. This London-based car company unveiled five vehicles in total that run entirely on electricity and function well in city environments. NICE has expanded its inventory to address the needs of families, commuters and vacationers looking to drive into the country.

Every driver knows the feeling of dread when dealing with fellow motorists operating at different speeds. The flow of traffic depends on the slowest and fastest vehicles on the road, which can lead to frustration for drivers in the middle. It is important for every motorist who is abiding by the speed limit to know that this adherence to state and federal law can relieve stress at the gas pump.

The lofty promises and early returns on hybrid vehicles in the United States show a slow but steady move toward fuel-efficient vehicles. Poulsen Hybrid is hoping to accelerate the market for hybrid vehicles while dealing with the issue of vehicle obsolescence with its hybrid conversion kit. Most kits that have been tried in recent years have required professional assistance and adjustments to a vehicle’s vital systems. The manufacturer’s kit promises to help drivers perform their own conversions with its unique rear-wheel attachments.