John F Kerry has recommended that the US should set a target of getting 20 per cent of its motor fuel from domestic sources including biodiesel and hydrogen by 2020.

According to the Democratic presidential candidate, around $30 billion should be spent over the next 10 years to help create a new generation of automobiles, SUVs and renewable fuels in the US more quickly.

In addition Mr Kerry has claimed he is currently on a waiting list to buy the 2005 Ford Escape hybrid, which runs on electricity or gas, according to reports in the Washington Post.

Alternative fuels have been labelled "America's next great wave of discovery" by Kerry, and already a $5 billion 'clean fuels partnership' programme has been set up to boost production of new and cleaner burning fuels and transport. Funding to be spent on the transport alternatives sector would be used for a mix of grants, tax incentives and government mandates.

Meanwhile, analysts have been speculating that the trend for clean technologies such as fuel cells is being driven by the global political climate.

Laura D'Andrea Tyson, a senior economic advisor to Kerry, believes that instability in the global arena, which has helped drive crude oil prices to record levels, is opening American minds to new consumer choices and will ultimately encourage the increased use of alternative green technologies.

She also revealed that a Kerry presidency would offer tax incentives of up to $500 to encourage Americans to trade in their sports utility vehicles (SUVs) for more fuel efficient cars.

"The policies that Senator Kerry is proposing are policies which are to encourage people to adopt more fuel efficiency in the cars they buy, in their homes and organise their businesses," Ms D'Andrea Tyson said.

Finally, she added that the US federal government, as a buyer of transportation equipment, could become a "major user" of hybrid and advance diesel vehicles.