According to a study conducted by research firm R.L. Polk, a record-breaking number of alternative fuel vehicles were sold during the first quarter of this year. The study reported that there were 434,000 alternative fuel vehicles sold for the first three months of this year. The said figure is 27 percent more than the number of alternative fuel vehicles sold for the first three months of 2006. Today, it is estimated that the number of these vehicles in active service reaches 11 million.

E85 capable vehicles posted the highest sales gain according to the "premier provider of automotive information and marketing solutions to the automotive world and its related industries". For the first quarter of last year, 159,882 units of flex-fuel vehicles were sold in the United States. For the first three months of this year, car manufacturers sold 266,859 units of E85 capable vehicles. That shows an increase of 40 percent.

Hybrid vehicles are still increasing in popularity among car buyers as sales for the first quarter jumped by 31 percent compared to the first quarter sales last year. Last year, 51,285 hybrid vehicles were sold for the first three months of the year. For the first quarter of this year, car manufacturers combined to sell 74,056 units of hybrid vehicles in the first quarter alone.

Another alternative fuel vehicle increasing in popularity are biodiesel engine-equipped vehicles. The popularity of diesel is increasing as car buyers become more aware that the new generation of diesel engines is cleaner than their predecessors. With the use of emissions filter and aftermarket parts like the Bosal exhaust system, emission of back soot is reduced significantly.

For the first three months this year, 108,100 units of clean diesel engines were sold by car manufacturers. This figure shows a slight decrease from 108,100 units for the first quarter last year to 93,012 units for the same period this year.

"Gas prices, consumer incentives, and the increasing number of AFA models available to consumers all play a role in the rising popularity of these vehicles," says Dave McCurdy, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "However, while interest in AFAs continues to grow, we still need more gas stations to offer biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel," he added further.

The lack of refilling stations offering biofuels has led some to criticize the government and the industry. In a recent study, it was found out that 99 percent of flex-fuel vehicles on the streets today are using gasoline. This is because of the scarcity of refilling stations which offers E85. This trend beats the purpose of these E85 capable vehicles.

Currently, there are sixty models of alternative fuel vehicles offered by different car manufacturers. In the hybrid segment, Toyota leads all car manufacturers. Aside from hybrids, clean diesel, and E85 capable vehicles, other AFAs include electric cars like those produced by ZAP.

In conclusion, McCurdy has this to say: "Automakers believe that the best way to enhance energy security and reduce carbon dioxide emissions is through the use of alternative fuel autos. While consumers value fuel economy, they also want other attributes in today's vehicles. Our goal as manufacturers is to offer fuel-efficient vehicle options, with a wide range of attributes, at an affordable price."