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Gas Still Rules Green Auto Show

'We're talking about decades' before cars can be weaned off fossil fuels

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2008 12:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Green was the color of opening day yesterday at the International Auto Salon in Geneva, another show full of hybrids and other low-emission vehicles, with green lighting and nature-friendly slogans to prove car companies care, Der Spiegel reports. Still, cautions General Motors' CEO to those set to pronounce the gasoline era dead, "We're just at the beginning of this changeover."

Hybrids, ethanol, and hydrogen fuel cells all have their partisans among executives jostling over future energy sources; others say it's too soon to dismiss gasoline. A BMW exec points out that a diesel Mini produces no more carbon dioxide than a hybrid Toyota Prius. "Petroleum will continue to be the most important form of mobile energy for decades," he says.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (3)]

A man walks behind a sign of CO2 gas at the stand of the French automobile manufacturer Renault during the press day at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show, on March 4, 2008 at Palexpo in Geneva.... (Getty Images)

The logo of the environmental concept of the French automobile manufacturer Renault is displayed during the press day at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show, on March 4, 2008 at Palexpo in Geneva.... (Getty Images)

The new Megane Coupe concept car of the French automobile manufacturer Renault is displayed during the press day at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show, on March 4, 2008 at Palexpo in Geneva. (FABRICE... (Getty Images)

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Lamborghini Unleashed @ 2008 Geneva Auto Show by Inside Line (InsideLineVideo (YouTube))

2008 Geneva Auto Show Intro by Inside Line (InsideLineVideo (YouTube))

Roadfly.com 2008 BMW M3 Concept from Geneva Auto Show (roadflytv (YouTube))

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Gas Still Rules Green Auto Show