A lot of people use their garage to fix a car that has a problem. Hula has been working in his garage to try to help fix a worldwide problem: the energy crisis.

“We've got to do something to help one another out, because the middle and lower class people are really feeling the bite of the gas prices right now,” said Hula.

So, after a trial and error, and testing a few prototypes on his own vehicles, Hula came up with what he calls the hydrogen-assist generator.

“We've got stainless steel plates in here, and when you conduct electricity through them stainless steel plates, it takes them molecules -- you got two molecules of hydrogen and one oxygen -- and it takes and separates them into gas,” he said.

Hula says burning the gas created through this process, called electrolysis, can give your car better gas mileage. He's started a business and hooked up his generator to about 30 vehicles so far.

His customers have reported between 28 percent and 72 percent better gas mileage. Jim Lister is a former mechanic who stands behind Hula's generator.

“I've only had mine on about 100 miles, but I just checked the gas mileage this morning and I got 5.1 miles per gallon better than what I was, plus I have more power,” said Lister.

Hula knows he's not the first to think of hydrogen power for cars.

“I'm telling people, if they want one of these units, to buy one from me first, copy it, and make your own,” he said.

Rick Hughlett, owner of Rick's Automotive in Springfield, says the hydrogen-assist generator could work, but the additional gases in the system could confuse a vehicle's oxygen sensor and make the car use more gas.

“That oxygen sensor is always trying to find 14.7-to-1 air/fuel ratio,” said Hughlett.

Hydrogen is highly flammable but Hula says his generator is just as safe or safer than the gas in your car.

“You can unscrew the lid and drink that water if you want to,” he said.

Hughlett says a backfire or putting it in the wrong spot could cause the container to explode.

“Any time you're installing something under the hood of a car, you need to consult a professional,” he said.

Still, Hughlett believes the inventor is on the right track.

“The principle, the idea, is good, and we do need these back yard inventors, because that may be the one that solves the energy crisis. But step lightly,” said Hughlett.

“I think everybody in America ought to have one!” said Lister.

Hula is selling his hydrogen-assist generators for $600. His telephone number is (417) 993-1111.

Another man from the Ozarks who has also come up with a similar system can be contacted at cgrosshart@sbcglobal.net

You can also buy information to build a similar system online at the Website, water4gas.com