If you're unwilling to pay $3.50 a gallon for gasoline, alternative fuels are already available and for sale in the Salt Lake Valley.

The same vehicle you drive today is probably available with a natural gas engine. Compressed natural gas has the same gas mileage, better torque, is about one-sixth the cost of gasoline and is available at eight filling stations in Davis and Salt Lake counties.

The biggest difference is the gas tank is in the trunk. Dealerships currently sell these vehicles (although some have waiting lists with up to 50 people on them), a tax rebate is available to cover the extra cost of these unique rides and the environmental impact is lower than gasoline, according to John Mitton, owner of CNGchat.com.

Compressed natural gas was just one type of alternative fuel discussed at a special event of the First Unitarian Church's Environmental Ministry lecture series Friday co-sponsored by Post Carbon Salt Lake and Utah Interfaith Power and Light. Several vehicles using natural gas, electricity and solar power were parked outside the building to demonstrate that options aren't just in development but are already available.

"There's a problem with the availability and affordability of gas and the alternatives are cheaper and cleaner," said Michael Mielke, director of Post Carbon Salt Lake.

David Bolick was present showing off his Zap Truck (also available as a sedan) which runs on batteries for about 1.7 cents a mile — about one-tenth the price of gas. The state considers it an electric motorcycle, so he can register it as such and save on taxes and insurance.

Like most electric vehicles, it can go about 25 to 35 mph and travels up to 40 miles on a single charge. For many urban dwellers, that's about as far and fast as they usually go in a given day. It also can drive tens of thousands of miles before requiring a tune-up.

Bolick said his favorite thing about his Zap is that it's safe. Because it can't go too fast, he's not at all worried about his teenage son driving it. He said it also has taught him to be a better driver.

"You learn to become more energy-conscious. When you can't accelerate through yellow lights, you begin to realize how wasteful most drivers are. It teaches you to drive gas vehicles in a new way," he said.

Andy Schoenberg is working on solar-powered electric vehicles with zero emissions. He built a prototype that's part bicycle, part electric scooter. It's covered in a lightweight plastic shell with solar panels serving as the roof. He's working on more durable models to sell through his company, Sunzeecar.

Electric-vehicle owners are so excited about their rides that they're not afraid to share the downsides: Electric cars are totally unrealistic for long commutes and they lose about 30 to 50 percent of their power during the coldest winter months.

Tai Robinson was also present, showing off his Intergalactic Hydrogen vehicle. He rarely fuels it with hydrogen, however, because only hydrogen created with solar power makes environmental sense. His engine will work with any kind of combustion fuel from ethanol to natural gas or both. It can still use gas, but he's driven more than 80,000 miles without using gasoline.

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E-mail: akirk@desnews.com