This has been a bad year for biofuels. What seemed like a good idea at the time has fallen foul, or even fowl, of a huge rise in the cost of grain and a sustained attack from the rainbow beards.
Added to that, people in emerging economies where the staple diet was boiled grass, have rightly decided that they deserve better than starvation in the streets for 40 hours a week making sustainable wooden washing machines.

Here in the UK farmers culling flocks and herds they can no longer afford to feed have pushed up meat prices. The fact is we need much greater grain production for food products.
So, unless anyone out there has a formula for fuel from unwanted rare-breed Gloucester Old Spot pigs, the new big idea of running cars on Wheaty Cherios is not looking too bright.
While there is still oil in the world people are going to prefer an affordable Sunday carvery over low-emissions fuel. Sorry Alistair, darling but it’s the truth.
Back then, to the alternatives. You can, of course, join the happy band making diesel out of old chip shop oil. Two problems are obvious here. There is not an endless supply of Spry Crisp and Dry in the world and you will become noted for the aroma of old cod.
Leaving petroleum gas and electricity, both of which use up huge amounts of energy in the making and both dependent one way or another on fossils.
Time then, to take a closer look at where the race for hydrogen powered cars is up to.
Well, considering the first research was done in 1839 by Sir William Grove you may think not that far. And even if Her Majesty’s Morgan Motor Company has just announced a gentleman’s sporting carriage with a racy top speed of 85mph, 0-60mph in six-seconds and a 200 mile range, the future for fuel cells is dimming. Because the Morgan LIFECar will never go into production.
Before looking into the reasons why, a brief recap on just what the hydrogen car involves.
No, honestly there are those people who think a series of little nuclear explosions drive the wheels around. The reality is much less exciting, especially in front end collisions
The reality is that the fuel cell creates electricity from the process of combining hydrogen with water and one was even used on the Apollo space programme.
BMW, Mercedes and Honda have all built a prototype vehicle. in fact Honda will launch its second generation model in California this summer.
In fact world wide there are 49 prototypes and concepts including such gems as the Mitsubishi Nessie, VW Space Up Blue and Think Nordic Car.
Morgan claims it has cracked one of the technical problems inherent in other fuel cell engines by de-coupling cruise power from acceleration allowing for a tiny 25kw cell rather than the usual 100kw.
On the face of it you really can lead the horsepower to water- and get it to drink
So why the long face, Shergar? Manufacturers agree that impasse has been reached because there is simply no infrastructure for a hydrogen future. No filling stations for a balloonful and two Ginsters and even more damning, no construction and use legislation. Most of all no tax rules. And even if the next big fuel is angel burps, you will be taxed. It’s the law.
There is also the small matter of cost to build and own a hydrogen car. Astronomical is a word that springs to mind. Engines alone can cost £25,000.
And the answer is? Well, the government the approved route is an electric car, rechargeable from the mains. But that will have to be sustainable mains power. And unless ministers can pacify those with a rainbow tendency that will not be nuclear.
Now may be the time to get your money out of cornflakes and into windmills.

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