In fact, the FVT Ale is so economical its creators have signed it up for the Automotive X-Prize (AXP) that seeks to hand over $10 million to the highest performing car over 100 mpg. To this end, FVT has decided to create a hybrid version of the Ale that runs primarily on battery electric power, with a gasoline and vapor assist when necessary.

The vapor driven three-wheel sports vehicle in unique in that it preheats the gasoline, vaporizes it and combines it with ambient air before it ever enters the cylinders. This expansion of the gas vapor and air mixture enables the Ale to use less gasoline overall while keeping its performance.

A small niche, company, FVT expects to hand-build around 150 to 200 of the Ale’s for around $75,000 each after the Automotive X-Prize is announced. They are also working on partnering with a larger company who will enable them to sell around 10,000 to 20,000 of the Ale vehicles at full production.

The Ale was designed as aerodynamically as possible in order to increase speed and decrease fuel consumption. According to its website, it is also able to pull 1.7 g’s while cornering which is enough to make the average person faint (they say they are working on this).

If the FVT is able to hit the 100 mpg mark while competing in the AXP, good things will surely follow, besides a shot at the 10 mil grand prize. For one this squid-looking vehicle will most likely be embraced by more than a few treehuggers who happen to have lots of green in their wallets.

A second benefit is who wouldn’t want a 100 mpg vehicle that they can say is always running on fumes?

General Motors and the other automakers are now looking for ways to retool their automobile lineups to accommodate the higher MPG standards. GM has assigned a team of engineers to develop a new dual-mode hybrid system for the Camaro.

For years, the Chevy Camaro has been known as one of GM’s sporty muscle cars. But, with the recent awareness of global warming and the need to cut down on greenhouse gases in the automotive sector is it any wonder that a Camaro Hybrid is now being developed?

Now, if GM also want to dazzle automobile enthusiasts who are also environmentalists they would develop the Camaro Plug-In Hybrid. But, with the Chevy Volt still in development and its success still up in the air, we may just have to wait a few years for this one. For now the Camaro Hybrid will be a good step ahead for green muscle cars.

Chrysler’s Renegade can travel the first 40 miles on lithium ion battery alone before the 3-cylinder BLUETEC diesel engine kicks in to give the vehicle a 400-mile range. Loaded with the Chrysler ENVI electric vehicle technology, the Jeep Renegade Concept hybrid can achieve 110 mpg. Take that, Prius!

The Jeep Renegade Concept carries a 200 kw (268 hp) electric motor shared by two other Chryslers also rolled out in Detroit, the Dodge ZEO and the Chrysler ecoVoyager. What makes the Renegade Concept different that these two vehicles are features like the 4-wheel drive, locking differentials and low gear mode one would expect from a rough and tumble vehicle such as this.

This off-road vehicle isn’t your daddy’s hybrid car as it is made to get down and dirty in the mountains and desolate desert terrain. The Jeep Renegade is just as the name implies, an outlaw in the hybrid community in both fuel economy and rugged performance.

The Toyota A-Bat is a shortbed 4-cylinder with Hybrid Synergy Drive and few inventive features. The bed is only 4 feet long but the roof slides forward to accept taller objects and the tailgate folds down to accept a 4 ‘ by 8 ‘ object in the bed. One of the cool features of the Toyota A-Bat is the rear bumper pulls forward for extra storage.

The Toyota A-Bat also has solar panels mounted in the driver side and passenger side dashboard areas, which supplies power to the instrument panels and other accessories. The A-Bat also has a removable power pack between the front seats that can provide energy to cell phones, laptops and other devices.

With the ruggedness of a pickup truck and the styling of an SUV, the Toyota A-Bat is swinging for the fences in the hybrid marketplace. With only Dodge and GM as current competitors, a production version of the Toyota A-Bat would be a welcomed addition to the marketplace.

This sporty two-seater shows what the future of hybrid will most likely be, combining the power and speed of a sports car and the gas savings of a hybrid. The Honda CR-Z comes equipped with a mid-engine V6 that produces 300 bhp.

Also included in the Honda CR-Z is a six-speed sequential transmission, high wing mirror, LED headlights and 19-inch wheels. Honda is keeping tight-lipped on other important specifications as this time such as gas mileage and top speed.

The Honda CR-Z (Compact Renaissance Zero) is due into production in 2009 and if the response in Tokyo is any indication as to the popularity of the vehicle, Honda will surely have a hit on their hands.