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Most of us drive vehicles fueled by gasoline or diesel, with a little ethanol mixed in. Increasing numbers of us are driving hybrids, fueled by gasoline or diesel and electricity. A few of us drive the vehicles of the future NOW.
On Saturday, February 23, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., several of these futuristic vehicles will be on display at the Ozarks New Energy Conference. You can get a close-up look at these technology-edgy vehicles:
- Vehicles powered by waste vegetable oil from Golden Fuel Systems, Springfield - Golden Fuel Systems is a leader in converting diesel engines to run on straight vegetable oil (SVO) and has converted alll sizes and kinds of engines, from sedans to semi-truck and tractors to ATVs. Download the company flyer and a schematic of a converted engine's plumbing system. The accompany pictures show a 2002 VW with a 12-gallon trekker system installed. The tank and racor filter are mounted in the trunk, which allows for easy access to the spare tire and for the rear seat to fold down. The Excursion photo features a custom system in which Golden Fuel Systems added an auxiliary diesel tank and modified the stock tank for SVO. There are two racor filters inline, one for diesel and one for SVO. The fill-port for both tanks is through the stock fill-port. From the outside and inside, the Excursion looks stock.
 
- A solar-powered pickup from Power Source Solar, Springfield – Nathan Jones’ hod-rodded neighborhood electric vehicle has a 48-volt system, the same as his house. When he’s not driving the truck, he can plug it into the house, and it helps power the house. Or if he needs to drive the truck, the house recharges the truck. The four-year-old truck stores energy in golf cart batteries. It’s been a great alternative as a parts truck, for grocery store runs or for a trip to Andy’s for a treat. And it’s a totally quiet ride. Nathan tells us the truck’s hood contains only storage but has drain holes in the bottom. He’s been known to buy a bag of ice at the grocery store and put a few beverages on ice under the hood to enjoy when he gets home.
- A hydrogen-fueled commuter bus from Missouri State University of Science and Technology, Rolla -MST and Ford Motor Company have partnered to develop a rural hydrogen transportation test bed for developing, demonstrating, evaluating and promoting hydrogen-based technologies. The project was initiated by a request from the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center to reduce single-occupied auto trips to Fort Leonard Wood. The result is a commuter bus service and hydrogen refueling station between Fort Leonard Wood, Lebanon and Rolla. The 19,000 lb. bus runs on compressed hydrogen, using a Ford H2 internal combustion engine. There are only 15 of these experimental/developmental vehicles in the world, so this is your opportunity to get a close-up look at a rare test vehicle. To learn more about the hydrogen bus, go to:
http://h2miner.mst.edu or http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=23844
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Alternative Car Show 
