As much as I care about lessening my impact on the environment, you'd think my car would be a hybrid already.  It's not.  Kick me already, will you?  In February 2007 when an uninsured driver slammed into me at an icy t-bone (ouch!) I shed a few tears, knowing that my 11 year love affair with the Mazda 626 had come to an end.  Mazda insists that the 6 is a hotter, better replacement for the late 626 but that's a horrid lie.  IT'S NOT THE SAME AT ALL! 

After a certain mourning period I pulled myself together and began contemplating what was the right car to ferry me about town on various adventures - with friends, animals, and sometimes musical gear.  The Prius was an immediate consideration - I do have my eco badge to consider - but I just couldn't swallow the $30K price tag to drive it off the lot and have the value immediately plummet.  "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" taught me well, it seems.  After some quality time cuddled up with Consumer Reports, an Excel spreadsheet of pros and cons and four test drives, I fell in love with the surprisingly fabulous Hyundai Sonata LX.  Laugh if you want but that car rocks, and Tony Soprano would love the trunk.  And yet...while it's far from a Hummer, it's got nothing on the newest inventions when it comes to fuel efficiency.

I'm kind of glad that gas prices are exploding, because it's making a LOT of people think differently about transportation.  Do I really want to go to that party out in the county?  It's 40 miles round trip!  Should I ride a bike to work?  Could I find a more efficient route for doing my many errands?  Best of all, we're demanding more efficient vehicle options - and companies are stepping up to the plate.  Come on, drool with me:

Tesla Motors Roadster
Oh baby, is this car SWEET!  Electric, goes up to 130 mph, 0-60 in 4 seconds...and a smokin' hot design.  The first models roll of the assembly line later this year - and are already spoken for by tons of celebrities who want to make a green statement.  It gets 130 mpg.  At $98K it's not for the average Joe, but Tesla is also developing the White Star for about $50K - due out in 2010.  A $30K model is due out a couple of years later.  Rock on, Tesla, with your hot self.  I'll see you in my dreams.

The Aptera
This is so beyond the Jetsons!  The Aptera (Greek for wingless flight) is an electric three-wheeled vehicle (two in front, one in back), technically classified as a motorcycle.  It goes into production late this year, and is supposed to go about 85 mph, 0-60 in less than 10 seconds.  Despite its small looking size, it'll comfortably fit a driver as tall as 6'5" plus a passenger, an infant seat, and (choose one) 15 bags of groceries, two full-size golf club bags or a couple of 7-foot surf boards.  Hmmm...I'd totally believe that if the consumers were all from clown families, but I'll give Aptera the benefit of the doubt.  The price tag is $27K for all-electric, $30K for plug-in hybrid.  Yes, that's still pricy but IT GETS 300 MPG!  Unfortunately it will be available only in California until the company establishes service centers elsewhere.    

The CLEVER Car
The CLEVER Car (Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport) is a three-wheeled vehicle (two in back, one in front) in development by BMW.  It seats two people, one behind the other, and is fueled by compressed natural gas.  If it makes it into actual production, it's expected to cost $8-10K, get 188 mpg, and top out at 50 mph.  It's pretty swanky looking, if you don't have a lot of people, pets, or things to cart around.

Motofino 50QT-6 Scooter
And finally there's the increasingly popular scooter.  There are many makes and models available but the dealer down the street sells Motofino so that's what I got to fondle.  They come in tons of colors (including pink), and make just about anyone look cool.  In Missouri the 49cc engine is not considered a motor vehicle, so there's no need to get it registered.  Of course, the speed doesn't (read shouldn't) top 35 mph, and it results in 100 mpg.  The larger engines yield speeds up to 80 mph, 85-90 mpg, but need to be registered as a motorcycle.  The price range is $1200-2200.  What a steal! 

What kind of swanky new eco-friendly inventions have you spotted?