Any Plug-in-Hybrid-Flex Fuel Cars available or being developed?

Toyota plans to sell a plug-in hybrid by 2010 in the U.S., and General Motors also is on its way to producing commercially viable rechargeable plug-ins—such as the Chevrolet Volt—also in 2010. The lithium-ion battery technology is creating some difficulties for commercial introduction at this time.

Among the future entries, GM’s Swedish Saab unit is working on a 9-3 Flex fuel hybrid that uses E85 and is a dual mode hybrid. This concept vehicle may be the first 4-cylinder convertible that could actually be produced. Ford’s Swedish Volvo unit also has developed a Flex-Fuel Plug-in Hybrid concept (based on the Volvo C30) called the Recharge that it has shown at a European auto show. A few years ago, Ford showed a Flex-Fuel version of its Escape Hybrid that can operate on gasoline or E85. Many of the major automakers, including Ford, are running real-world tests with plug-in hybrids at utilities and universities in California and other states.

GM, Ford and Chrysler all offer many models with Flex Fuel capability to operate on E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). However, there less than 1% of fuel stations in the U.S. provide E85 or ethanol for these vehicles.

Major automakers have formed partnerships with ethanol producers. Toyota will increase its investment in an affiliated company that produces ethanol derived from wood waste. GM announced a partnership with Coskata Inc. to use the company's technology to make ethanol from practically any renewable source, including garbage, old tires and plant waste. Fuel can be created for $1 less per gallon than gasoline.

In addition, we counted 18 gasoline/electric hybrids on the market. The Toyota Prius is the best-seller in the U.S. It ranks among the top 20 models sold this year, according to our firm’s research. Currently, there are compacts, midsize cars and crossovers and utilities offered in hybrid versions. Even the best-selling Toyota Camry is available with a hybrid powertrain.

According to our firm’s research more than 345,000 hybrids were sold in 2007—a 35% increase from the 256,000 hybrids sold in 2006. Competition in the hybrid segment is projected to intensify further in coming years. Our firm’s research indicates there will be as many as 65 hybrid models—28 cars and 37 light trucks—in the market by 2010, with sales expected to reach nearly 775,000 units, or 4.6% of the total U.S. new light-vehicle market.

You are right about Brazil. One of our economists points out that Brazil has had a long range strategy for energy dependence for many years, which takes advantage of the country's excellent growing conditions for sugar cane and the ability to convert that sugar cane to ethanol. The U.S. lacks the climate for sugar cane and thus the ability to convert it. The US efforts to use corn raises meat prices and other products that use corn as an input, which also can mean angry cattle ranches and consumers.

For more information on alternative powertrains, hybrids and reviews and previews of new cars and light trucks, as well as photos, videos and quality ratings, please visit JDPower.com.

Here's a shorter answer: Hybrids can be compatiable with biofuels or petroleum fuels and are more efficient, especially if you drive short distances. Pay very close attention to when models come out, since there are significant tax benefits for buying new model hybrids, but these disappear once they've sold some number of a given model. If you can't get a tax break, it'll take a while for you to recoup the extra cost of a hybrid. Consider a diesel. I drive a 2006 Jetta TDI, can use biodiesel as much as I want and get an average of 45MPG in primairly city driving, 55 on longer trips and have several times gotten 65 on my old commute. Any which way, get a light car with a small engine.

Not that I'm aware of. Corn-based ethanol does more environmental harm than good (see link below), not to mention reducing fuel efficiency - which is exactly opposite the purpose of a hybrid - so I doubt car manufacturers will pursue this option at least until another option like cellulosic ethanol becomes widely available.

Buy a 1982 VW Rabbit Diesel.

They make hybrids look stupid (wait, hybrids are stupid)

Hybrids require energy to be changed from one form to another many times... that equates to losses.

Look at the Opel Eco-Speedster - 100 HP, 100 MPG, 100 MPH on diesel.

GM is working on a plug in hybrid.

It is called the Chevy Volt.

Here is the link.

http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/

Switchgrass is the way to go, better than corn and sugarcane