5-passenger Prius uses an electric motor and a gas engine to achieve a combined fuel economy of approximately 55 mpg. Currently, all the other major automakers are also developing hybrids, using various platforms. Last year, DaimlerChrysler displayed a hybrid Dodge Durango. There are also efforts underway to transition the automobile away from gasoline entirely. All of the major automakers have offered battery-powered electric cars for sale or lease in the U.S., as do some smaller car manufacturers.
Electric cars have no tailpipe emissions.
And, because they get their energy from the power grid, they can take advantage of the move toward green energy sources like wind and solar a move spurred, in part, by electric utility deregulation. Automakers are also investing heavily in another type of electric car fuel cell vehicles. A fuel cell produces electricity from the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, with water as the only by-product. While there are no pollutants and no carbon dioxide emissions associated with this technology, the first fuel cell cars to come to market will likely have emissions resulting from the process of generating hydrogen to power the car. However, in the long term, it is conceivable that these cars would become truly emission free.