Next-Generation Cars Will Battle Gas Guzzlers
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: America's love affair with the sport utility vehicle may be souring as the cost of gasoline rises. Suddenly car buyers are once again looking for more fuel-efficient vehicles. CNN's Gary Tuchman kicks the tires on some of the latest and greatest automotive technology.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good thing I stopped at the bank.</s>GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): High gas prices are fueling resentment, and drivers are fighting back by increasing purchases of vehicles with good gas mileage. But the same thing happened during gas crises in 1973 and '79, and when they were all over, gas guzzlers came back in force.</s>THAD MALESH, J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES: The difference is, this time around, compared to back in 1979 and '80 when we had this, we have greater choices. We have real technology that will develop much higher mileage than what we had back then.</s>TUCHMAN: In other words, you'll still be able to buy your SUVs, but they'll get better mileage and keep the air cleaner, thanks to hybrid technology.</s>BILL DOOLITTLE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER: This is a potential 2005 model year or 2004 late calendar year build vehicle.</s>TUCHMAN: This Dodge Ram will be powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that recharges as it runs. Ford and General Motors have also embraced hybrid technology for SUV and truck sales by 2004. Two smaller vehicles out on the roads already use hybrid technology, the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight. The new technology raises the price of the vehicles, but the automakers say they're pleased with sales.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a car that you can get 55 miles per gallon with.</s>TUCHMAN: And this is all just the beginning. (on camera): So what's the fuel economy of this vehicle right now?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This one has been simulated at 72 miles per gallon combined city and highway.</s>TUCHMAN (voice-over): This is DaimlerChrysler's ESX-3. It's a prototype. With its hybrid technology and space-age aerodynamics, engineers are trying to get it to 80 miles per gallon. (on camera): The ESX-3 has a range of about 430 miles, which is fairly typical of any car. But it has a gas tank that's very atypical. It only takes six gallons of fuel to fill up this tank. (voice-over): As promising is hybrid technology is, it's seen by many as an interim step. Already under development, hydrogen power by fuel cells.</s>PROF. PATRICK DESSERT, OAKLAND UNIVERSITY: Fuel cell technology are basically trying to create a power pack of material that would be turned to electrical energy.</s>TUCHMAN: The price of gasoline may continue to rise, but demand for gasoline will not, if this new technology ultimately proves successful. Gary Tuchman, CNN, Detroit.