The alternative fuels were never supposed to be cheap. They were supposed to kick in when oil became expensive but that doesn't imply they will suddenly be cheaper than oil is now. It's going to cost more. $5 a gallon? Probably more, but since the natural gasoline would cost that too it won't make the slightest difference. Availability is the question.
well,technically if you live near an ocean, and you can utilize ocean waves, some sunlight wind, you could either store energy for free
or use energy to make hydrogen for the car...
but energy can certainly be free