A frequent objection to government mandates forcing the sale of new, cleaner transportation fuels is that consumers will snub vehicles for which fuel is difficult to find. But a recent study drivers looking for natural gas, methanol or other new fuels are well-served if up to one in ten gas stations offers their type of fuel. Based on New Zealand's introduction of natural-gas-powered cars in the 1980s and this country's brief flirtation with diesel passenger cars just a few years before that, UC Davis researcher Ken Kurani found that fuel availability was a strong initial barrier to purchasing cars using alternative fuels, but, as more vehicles were sold and more stations opened up, it virtually disappeared as an issue. "As the market grows, people learn and adapt within the limited fuel network," Kurani says. "We don't need to duplicate the gasoline network to alleviate consumers' concerns with finding new fuels." For meeting the tough air quality standards of the future, the study suggests that cleaner burning cars might be more attractive to both consumers and auto manufacturers than previously believed. Kurani will present the paper in session No. 129 at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Hilton.