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Alternative fuel still a main attraction at the Chicago Auto Show

Alternative fuel still a main attraction at the Chicago Auto ShowThe price of gasoline may have gone down for now, taking sales of hybrid vehicles with it. But the CAFE rule that mandates auto manufactures average 35 mpg for their fleet of vehicles still applies, meaning more vehicles are being offered with an alternative fuel-capable engine.

At the Chicago Auto Show, GM is displaying 15 of their 20 vehicles available with E85-capable (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) powertrains. Chrysler and Ford have also trotted out an impressive lineup of flex fuel-capable cars.

In fact, show-goers may be eying an E85 capable car without even knowing it. The 3.0L engine in the Ford Fusion is flex fuel capable, like it or not. Which means that in the off chance car buyers of the zippy compact stop at one of the 1900 stations offering E85, they can choose the more expensive, less efficient fuel. Or not.

Here's a list of alternative fuel capable cars (and some hybrids, too!) on display at the Chicago Auto Show:

Buick E85 Lucerne (2009)
Cadillac Escalade E85 (2009)
Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
Chevrolet Avalanche E85 (2009)
Chevrolet HHR E85 (2009)
Chevrolet Impala E85 (2009)
Chevrolet Malibu E85 (2009)
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (2009)
Chevrolet Silverado E85 (2009)
Chevrolet Suburban E85 (2009)
Chevrolet Tahoe E85 (2009)
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (2009)
Chrysler Aspen Hybrid (2009)
Chrysler Sebring E85 (2009)
Chrysler Town & Country E85 (2009)
Dodge Avenger (2009)
Dodge Dakota E85 (2009)
Dodge Durango E85 (2009)
Dodge Durango Hybrid (2009)
Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Van E85 (2009)
Dodge Grand Caravan E85 (2009)
Dodge Ram 4500/5500 biodiesel B6-B20 (2009)
Dodge Ram 4500/5500 E85 (2009)
Dodge Ram E85 (2009) (Hybrid in 2010)
Dodge Sprinter Van biodiesel (2009)
Ford E-Series E85 (2009)
Ford Expedition E85 (2009)
Ford F-150 E85 (2009)
Ford Fusion E85 (2009)
Ford Fusion Hybrid (2009)
GMC Envoy/Envoy Denali E85 (2009)
GMC Sierra E85 (2009)
GMC Sierra Hybrid (2009)
GMC Yukon E85 (2009)
GMC Yukon Hybrid (2009)
Honda Civic (2009)
Honda FCX Clarity (2009)
Hummer H2 E85 (2009)
Hummer H2 SUT E85 (2009)
Jeep Commander E85 (2009)
Jeep Grand Cherokee E85 (2009)
Lincoln Navigator E85 (2009)
Lincoln Town Car E85 (2009)
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2009)
Mercury Grand Marquis E85 (2009)
Mercury Milan Hybrid (2010)
Nissan Armada E85 (2009)
Nissan Titan E85 (2009)
Saturn Aura Hybrid (2009)
Saturn Vue Hybrid (2009)
Toyota Sequoia (2009)

Extension of the flexible fuel vehicle credit program. For each model year through 2019 for each category of automobile, automakers may attribute an increase in average fuel economy for dual-fueled vehicles. The maximum increases are: (a) 1.2 mpg for MY 1993-2014; (b) 1.0 mpg for MY 2015; (c) 0.8 mpg for MY 2016; (d) 0.6 mpg for MY 2017; (e) 0.4 mpg for MY 2018; and (f) 0.2 mpg for MY 2019.

Mercedes-Benz USA has been slapped with what is, to date, the second largest fine for violating federal fuel efficiency standards by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week -- a whopping $28.9 million. As The Detroit Free Press best puts it, it's simply "the cost of doing business" for some of the world's biggest (and wealthiest) automakers.

The fine was a result of the automaker failing to meet the current Corporate Average Fuel Economy ratings with its 2007 model year passenger car lineup. Also getting punished majorly were Volkswagen ($4.5 million), Porsche ($1.2 million), Maserati ($1.2 million) and Ferrari ($1.1 million). Even Saleen Inc., maker of tuned Fords, got hit with a $41,000 bill for its high-emission sports cars from the 2003-2006 model years.

Taking the number one violator spot back in 2007 with a $30.3 million fine was the former DaimlerChrylser AG. We wouldn't be surprised if manufacturers continue to use the same method of dealing with the increasingly stringent CAFE regulations well into the furture until more highly fuel efficient cars make it to the streets.