Hydrogen Cars Closer Than They Appear

	Hydrogen fuel station in Reykjavik

REYKJAVIK -- Owning a car not powered in any way by gasoline seems about as likely as using a jet pack to fly to work.

Sure, it might happen, but not anytime soon.

The day when gas-powered cars disappear completely from our roads is probably decades away. But changing a nation's transportation and fueling infrastructure happens gradually, not overnight. And the time when hydrogen cars and hydrogen fuel stations are common might be closer than many think.

This means that car shopping could get increasingly interesting in the next few years as we not only get to choose between sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs, but between gas-powered, hybrids, more hydrogen cars and who knows what else.

Short of strapping on a jet pack, I can't imagine a more exciting opportunity for a country infatuated with cars.

Visiting Iceland has opened my eyes to the real possibilities of alternative fuels and compelled me to take a closer look at what's happening with these innovations in the U.S.

Electric fuel cells powered by hydrogen have only water as a byproduct while internal combustion engines release some nitrogen oxide -- about one-fourth of what a gas-fueled engine does -- and that's about it. Auto makers are putting cars that use both technologies on the road today. ...