Combustion engine or alternative fuel? Combustion engine or alternative fuel? Over the last decade, the debate has gone round and round. I am firmly in the camp of combustion engine. Especially since, as of yet, a cost effective alternative has yet to be found.

The Honda Clarity, the newest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle comes in at a retail price of $60,000 and an “under” $500 a month payment. I’d like to point out that the Clarity is one of only three models total in the fuel cell category and yet the payment is still $500. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also limited to California sales, so while the tech might be useful, the limited access makes it not so viable.
 
You could go electric but a lack of range and infrastructure make EVs less than attractive. (Unless of course you are a Tesla owner, but how many Teslas are on the road and accessibly priced?) Not to mention the quite large carbon footprint left by “clean vehicle” production.
 
Consider then, the much maligned combustion engine. I guess it could be argued that this is an apples to oranges comparison. But I don’t think so. The combustion engine, which the green vehicle camp loves to hate for its eco-unfriendliness, is getting more and more efficient.  Even pick-up trucks are getting better fuel economy.
 
The F-150 is the most popular vehicle on the road. And now its mileage is improving even more than it was with the efficient eco-boost engine.  Lower gas prices and now better efficiency in a truck? And how many hydrogen cell vehicles are on the road? Or EV vehicles? Not many given the current infrastructure.
 
And the alternative fuel camp has to legislate giveaways in the form of rebates and tax breaks for green vehicles that aren’t more efficient but do produce more pollution in their production processes — but why bother with that, right?

Honestly, I think it’s time that we stop government rebates on green vehicles and focus on making what we have (and clearly the people want) even more efficient .
 
But what do you think?
 
My Final Thought:
 
Stop playing with our emotions, Buick.  Last year, Buick teased us with their Avenir concept car: http://www.buick.com/avenir-concept-vehicle.html

This year they offered us the Avista concept: http://www.buick.com/avista-concept-coupe.html
 
Both cars are gorgeous and I love that the Avista is a luxe Camaro. Regardless of the hip Matt & Kim songs featured in Buick commercials, Buick is rather ho-hum when it comes to car design. Except in the case of its concepts. Build the concepts, Buick!
 
We want them. We’d buy them. And we’re tired of not getting the cars we want from you.
 
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Lauren Fix, The Car Coach® is a nationally recognized automotive expert, media guest, journalist, author, keynote speaker and television host. To read more of her blogs, CLICK HERE NOW.