That '70s auto show: Fuel economy is back

And the hybrids are no longer just about efficiency. They're moving upscale. Honda's new Accord hybrid, on sale since December, is the most expensive, and fastest Accord sold, in addition to the most fuel efficient. Lexus's new hybrid SUV, the 400h, is likely to cost nearly $50,000 when it rolls into dealerships this spring.

For all the questions about how fast the market will grow, one thing that seems certain is the automakers' commitment to build them.

"My grandfather's goal was to put America on wheels. My goal is to make this company a leader socially, environmentally, and economically," says Bill Ford, CEO of Ford Motor Co., preparing to introduce a range of futuristic concept cars here that included hybrids and fuel-efficient clean diesels.

He hopes to renew the company's environmental commitment by building vehicles like the diesel-electric Meta-One crossover sport wagon and a new diesel electric hybrid airport bus. He also announced Ford will sell five new hybrid vehicles over the next three years in the two bestselling vehicle categories, SUVs and light trucks.

But the efficiency story doesn't end with hybrids. While it also displayed two diesel-electric hybrids, the Opel Vectra and the GMC Graphyte, General Motors' major push is on fuel-cell vehicles. It debuted a running prototype of the second generation fuel-cell vehicle on a "skateboard" chassis that promises to revolutionize auto manufacturing. The Sequel has an unprecedented range of 300 miles for a fuel cell vehicle, can be refueled in under 10 minutes, and warms up in less than two minutes from freezing temperatures - all technological breakthroughs for fuel-cell vehicles. Fuel cells make electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, and produce no pollution other than water. The Sequel is said to be as acceptable to consumers as gasoline cars today, except for its cost of over $1 million. Challenges remain: where to get the hydrogen without negating all the efficiency gains of the fuel cell and how to distribute it and refuel large numbers of cars conveniently.

Clean diesels are also around the corner. In 2006, when new government regulations lower the sulfur in diesel fuel, automakers expect to be able to meet emissions regulations across the country. (Now they don't in seven states.)

Diesel engines get hybrid mileage at half the extra cost, says Pratt. Diesels can also burn a wide variety of renewable fuels, even cooking oil. In unveiling the bank-vault-like Syn-US, Mr. Ford said it could drive from New York to Los Angeles nine times and back before emitting as much smog-forming chemical as painting a bedroom.

If 2005 is the year of the hybrid, look for 2006 to be the year of the diesel.

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