Solar, hydrogen, and even water are all being developed as fuels of the future, and no matter what the brand, those behind the ideas just want to keep you from buying gasoline. But, West Springfield-based Scuderi Group is developing an engine that still runs on gas, but not nearly as much.

"The key to really gaining on saving energy is to improve the efficiency of the internal combustion engine, and we're about the only ones who really have a good shot at making that happen," Scuderi said.

In a nutshell, Scuderi says his split-cycle engine will increase fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Combine that with a hybrid, and it's 50 percent. That means you would fill-up half as often. But, that cannot possibly make the oil companies happy, or can it?

"We've actually had some of the larger oil companies wanting to invest in our company to try to get this to market, rather than trying to squash us," Scuderi said.

The problem with the split-cycle engine is that it will not be available for at least another two years. So, in the meantime, you will still have to go to the gas stations just as often, and pay the high prices. And, Scuderi admits that does not bother him at all.

"We're the only people that are happy about the gas prices going up, because it forces or incentives all of the engine manufacturers to look at all of the technology that has the potential of improving efficiency," Scuderi said.

The cost is relatively similar to that of a conventional engine, and is actually smaller, Scuderi noted. The engine has been in production since 2002, and is being constructed at a factory in Texas. Once the technology is perfected, it will be sold to engine manufacturers for mass-production and sale.

But, with gas prices soaring to new record levels all the time, for many, the technology cannot come soon enough.