Tree huggers and gear heads can find peace at the auto show

Amid the gleaming chrome of the gas guzzlers at the Chicago Auto Show are a number of tree-hugging, planet-saving alternatives.

You just have to know where to look.

"What's the most fuel-efficient vehicle you have?" John Walton asks a saleswoman at the Hyundai booth.

Turns out Hyundai's working on a gas-electric hybrid version of the Sonata expected to make its debut in 2010.

That kind of green technology scattered throughout the auto show warms Walton's heart. The DuPage County Forest Preserve District fleet services manager is an expert on clean-burning fuels and energy-efficient vehicles and he wants to share his passion with the public.

To further that goal, Walton, who also is vice chair of the Chicago Area Clean Cities organization, toured the auto show giving pointers on the environmentally friendly cars of the future.

While everyone knows about Toyota's Prius hybrid, Walton focused on some up-and-coming products such as the Chevrolet Volt on display.

Slated to be available in 2010, the Volt is an all-electric car that will run on a lithium-ion battery.

"This is going to be a very practical electric vehicle that comes out in 2010," Walton said. "And it's also a very exciting vehicle.

The Volt can be plugged in at night to a regular outlet in the garage and has a 40-mile range. A small gas engine also recharges the battery when you drive beyond 40 miles.

And while some say it could retail at $40,000, savings come with the gas - mileage is estimated at 100 mpg.

If you're looking for something a little easier on the wallet, Walton recommended the new Honda Insight gas-electric hybrid.

The first version of the Insight was a two-door but the new model on display at the auto show is a roomier four-door that gets 40 mpg in the city and 43 on the highway. The cost is estimated to be under $22,000 and it's coming to dealers this spring.

"It's exceptional for family use," Walton said.

Of course man does not live by family vehicle alone. Over at the Dodge area was a sleek, orange sports car dubbed the Circuit.

The concept car "busts the image of electric cars," Walton said. "Electric cars can be sports cars."

The Circuit can accelerate from 0 mph to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, generating 120 mph at top speeds.

"It's sexy and sporty," Walton said. Of course, "it could never come to fruition but this shows we have the ability to actually make them."

Here's a look at some of Walton's other auto show top green picks.

• Over in the Chrysler section are three colorful GEMS, or Global Electric Motors vehicles, that resemble golf carts. These battery-operated vehicles can get up to 150 mpg. One six-seater GEM has a starting price of $12,995.

• The Volkswagen area is displaying Jetta TDI clean diesel cars, projected to save 30 percent on energy costs. The green technology involves a particulate trap that collects soot, which is vaporized by the engine heat reducing harmful emissions. The price tag is around $22,000.

"This busts the myth that diesel is dirty stuff," Walton said.

• Ford has an EcoBoost exhibit worthy of the Museum of Science and Industry. The display shows how combining a fuel injection system and turbo charge, which compresses air so gas burns more efficiently, can produce 20 percent higher fuel economy and burn 15 percent cleaner. Ford plans to introduce the technology in 2010 in some of its Lincoln models and its Ford Flex SUV.

Part of Walton's job is to fulfill the forest preserve's goal of converting its fleet into alternative fuel vehicles by 2011.

"My favorite fuel is what works," he said, meaning multiple alternatives to gasoline or conventional cars exist or are in the works.

These runs the gambit from vehicles that run on compressed natural gas, propane, ethanol or biodiesel to hybrid and electric cars.

"The answer is everything," Walton said, "there's no one solution available."

The auto show runs through Sunday at McCormick Place, Lake Shore Drive and 23rd Street, Chicago.

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