As engineers scramble to utilize the new found efficiency in car power known as hybrid technology, it's interesting to watch "the big 3" as they attempt to portray Fuel Cell technology as the next big thing.

Hybrids like this one are already making a big difference and research has barely been fully funded.  Hybrid efficiency is not hype or fantasy, it is real.

Fuel cells, on the other hand, are not a real source of saved energy.  Their net result, when introduced into an energy system (such as car energy), is a NET LOSS of energy.  

But then it gets worse.  The cheap way to keep that hydrogen flowing to fuel cells involves burning more coal or natural gas.  That's right, we'd have to burn more to get less energy, polluting more in the process. 

So why on earth are fuel cell solutions being portrayed as environmentally friendly?  I suppose it's because they would actually increase consumption of energy, and therefore cause a boost to the economy.  Anything that'll get us some short term bling is automatically on the fast track.  Corporate America is shaping our perceptions, instead of science and technology.  Imagine that.

Update:  You can read more about hybrid drivers here at The Onion.