http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&storyid=1155

EV World's editor in chief captures the alternative vehicles of the first AltCar Expo in Santa Monica, California  

This has a few pictures.  The (formerly known as) Corbin Sparrow from what I know of it is an excellent vehicle but is ugly as sin.  If they'd made them more like the Corbin Merlin I think we'd actually be seeing a few on the road these days.

-------------------------------

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061213/NEWS99/61213036

CEOS want increase in fuel-efficiency standards

December 13, 2006
By JUSTIN HYDE
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON BUREAU

A group of corporate chief executives and former military generals called Wednesday for the federal government to raise fuel economy standards and take other steps toward cutting U.S. oil imports almost in half from today's levels by 2030.

http://www.willitsnews.com/localnews/ci_4832463

'Electric/human hybrids' hit the streets

One of the two ready-mades, the Giant Lite model is a stripped down bicycle that still requires pedal power. The rechargeable battery, smaller than a conventional loaf of bread, is fastened onto the outside of the shaft running down from the seat. The model costs $1,500.

The larger and heavier Tres Terra Europa is a fancier version that can run without pedaling. The 11 pound battery is enclosed in the thick front shaft that runs between the pedals and the handle bars. This model, which sells for $1,600, is also equipped with rear and front headlights, carry racks, and cruise control.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2006-12-12-small-cars-usat_x.htm

Can cars fly? Small ones can, right off the lot

Tiny cars continue to be big hits even though sky-high gas prices have eased.

Pushed by Toyota (TM) Yaris, Honda (HMC) Fit and Nissan (NSANY) Versa -- small, front-wheel-drive, fuel-efficient subcompacts introduced this year -- the low-price end of the small-car market is up 42.2% through November compared with a year ago, industry tracker Autodata says.

That's in an overall new vehicle market down 2.5%. Experts aren't surprised.

"You're getting a lot for your money -- a great commuter car, a great city car," says Rebecca Lindland, an automotive consultant at Global Insight. "They all have some funky style, a lot of accessories" to "pimp them up."
...
Despite the dramatic growth in their sales, the low-price small cars are only about 2% of U.S. new vehicle sales. Still, that's twice the slice of the market that the smallest cars once held.

'cause I always look for pimp in my car
----------------------------------

http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=20239&hed=GM%2C+Nissan%2C+Toyota+Plugging+In

You might want to find someplace else to charge that power drill. Announcements in the last few weeks by General Motors, Nissan, and Toyota suggest the next device you plug into the wall outlet could be your car. All three carmakers are pursuing so-called "plug-in hybrids," gas-electric vehicles that owners can recharge for better mileage--in some cases getting more than 100 miles per gallon by replacing fuel with electricity.
...

But some doubt plug-ins are ready for prime time. Dan Benjamin, a senior analyst at ABI Research, says battery life and cost are still big issues. "That's not to say it won't happen; it's just not imminent," he says. According to a U.S. Department of Energy report released last Monday, plug-in hybrids are expected to cost about $6,000 to $10,000 more per vehicle than regular hybrids. In addition, plug-in hybrids take too long to charge (usually overnight) and require a lot of batteries to get beyond the 100-mile range, Mr. Benjamin says.

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=communique&newsid=13689&url=

Senator Bayh Calls for Increased Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Development

Source: Senator Bayh's Office
[Dec 13, 2006]

SYNOPSIS: Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (D) has joined a bipartisan coalition urging for additional funding in the development of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
...
Joined by a bipartisan coalition of 17 Senate colleagues, Bayh called on the Secretary to include at least $90 million in the President's FY 2008 budget request to encourage the development of PHEV technologies and to expand the market for these clean-running vehicles. The funding could be used for work including the development of more efficient, longer running batteries and a joint flexible fuel/hybrid vehicle publicity campaign.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-03199sy0dec13,0,203282.story?coll=dp-news-local-final

A Gloucester father and son, who have an auto shop in Hampton, convert a Chevrolet pickup to battery power.
...
John Joseph now hops in the truck every morning and commutes between his Gloucester home and his family's auto repair business in Hampton. The truck, which he also uses for weekend errands, can travel more than 73 miles without a recharge and can go more than 70 mph.
...
John estimates that he has spent $20,000 on the truck. "We didn't do a normal conversion," he said. "We went way, way beyond what we had to do."
...
John Joseph acknowledges that a totally electric truck - as opposed to a hybrid such as the Toyota Prius - is strictly a commuter vehicle. It doesn't make sense for someone traveling a good distance to have to wait seven hours to charge up a car.