The EPA has made considerable success during the last thirty years in reducing carbon monoxide emissions. Currently "Cars are capable of emitting 90 percent less carbon monoxide over their lifetimes than their uncontrolled counterparts of the 1960's. As a result, ambient carbon monoxide levels have dropped, despite large increases in the number of vehicles on the road and the number of miles they travel" (EPA).
Over the years America has made substantial progress toward limiting pollution from automobiles; however "With continued increases in vehicle travel projected, carbon monoxide levels will begin to climb again unless even more effective emission controls are employed" (EPA). In order to control fuel emissions in the future, society needs to implement new ways and scientific breakthroughs.
Currently the best solution to both of the problems above is the implementation of the fuel cell vehicle. Fuel cells vehicles do not pollute the air at all. These vehicles are also known as hybrid vehicles. In comparison to the internal combustion engine, which burns gasoline to produce energy "Hybrid vehicles run on a combination of hydrogen and electricity. Fuel cells turn hydrogen and oxygen into electricity" (Electric and Fuel Cell Cars). This electricity is then used to power an electric motor. This process entirely eliminates the need for fossil fuels and the creation of carbon monoxide pollutants. .
Hybrid engines have been around for a few years now, and have been used primarily to power rockets like that space shuttle for years. Although the technical benefits of using hydrogen as a transportation fuel have long been acknowledged, they have not yet been implemented on a large scale for use in vehicles. Recently more attention has been given to this technology because new technology makes the use of hydrogen cars feasible in the near future. "Hydrogen-powered, fuel-cell or hybrid electric cars are expected to have fuel costs comparable to today's gasoline cars.