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Years from now the 100th Annual Los Angeles International Auto Show will be remembered for its theme of alternative powertrains. Never before have so many manufacturers introduced so many vehicles using so many alternative energy sources. BMW talked up its hydrogen fuel cell program. GM pushed ethanol. Toyota and Ford continued their dominance in hybrids with new model introductions. Tesla introduced a pure electric vehicle while Saturn tipped its hand on a plug-in hybrid. The 2006 L.A. Auto Show was greener than Kermit the Frog – who made a guest appearance in the Ford booth to talk about the Ford Escape Hybrid’s new interior made from reclaimed materials.
Now we could get grouchy about this and say many of the manufacturers came to the alternative lifesyle party a day late and a dollar short, but we won’t. Mainly because we’re just too confused. After years of little to no choices out there for non-gasoline powered cars, we’re suddenly faced with lots of choices – perhaps too many. Which powertrain is best? What technology should we support? Where is the future of alternative fuels taking us?
When you want substantive answers, you ask an expert. And that’s why AutoPacific Vice President and Senior Analyst Jim Hossack met old friend Tom Gage from AC Propulsion for a chat in the GM booth at the show.
AC Propulsion has been in the electric car business since 1993. They make the tzero sports car, and have a new conversion model based on the Scion xB. And Tom Gage can talk the talk of alternative power trains.

Show Runtime – 9:42