The Swiss Auto Show just ended in Geneva yesterday, with over 287,000 new auto entries. Among these new entries, there were a large number of new models and concept cars for the environmentally, and ecologically minded consumers. Even top notch car manufacturers such as Audi, and Porsche are getting into the act with concept hybrid cars. The concept of a powerful engine sports car which also incorporates alternative energy sources seems to be what some manufacturers were attempting - ‘attempting’ being the operative word.

Many exhibitors such as Honda, Toyota and Nissan already offer production ready gas to electric or purely electric engines. Other companies such as Kia have released their hybrid concept cars at this years show with great interest. All of these manufacturers offerings being marketed to family styled/sedan type vehicles. Consumers in Japan and North America have already seen and tested the hybrids presently on the market through Toyota. In Europe however, the auto industry is wondering when consumers will start buying hybrid and electric cars in large enough numbers to make their production profitable.

It seems the European markets loves the idea of alternative fuel vehicles, but are too concerned about its reliability to actually make a purchase. Consumers believe an electric vehicle is great for a spin around the city for range, but not so for family trips. Also, the cost to their pocketbooks still out weighs the cost to the environment. One manufacturer did design a long distance hybrid to address this concern with the Rinspeed UC. It’s still in its concept stage.

Everyone believes that hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are the wave of the future, manufacturers are counting on it. But consumers are not yet sold on the efficiency. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, most hybrids are priced higher than their counterparts; that affects the slow market – duh. In Europe, especially Switzerland, car sharing systems seem to be the alternative to buying an over priced hybrid for their environmental impact. Switzerland has the highest per capita rate of car sharing, or pay as you go ownership with rail companies joining the group with integrated transportation which allows users to take a train to the city and pick up a car share there. It seems people are tired of waiting for the perfect ‘green’ vehicle to arrive and are choosing instead car sharing clubs. In Germany alone, car sharing numbers increased by 15 percent or 158,000 last year and the prospective for next year could reach 1-2 million.

Back here in North America, the market is still in flux. North Americans love their cars and are not ready to put down the freedom the car keys provide and car share. There is too much ego involved with our relationship with our vehicles. Like our European consumer counterparts, we are looking to be more environmentally and ecologically minded. However our wants from our vehicles has not been appeased by the options we have at this point. What it seems to come down to all over the world is the bottom line, price. Until auto manufactures here in North America can build a vehicle which is environmentally sound, and affordable (on par with their gas guzzling counterparts) people will always fall on the side of caution and buy something trusted and affordable. Who can blame us? It’s a worldwide phenomenon; we are on the cusp of a new transportation highway. One which will undoubtedly be referred to years from now as the pre or post gasoline age. It’s an exciting time for all of us if you’re not in too much of a hurry.