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Dodge's ESX3 Hybrid car runs on a diesel engine and magnetic electric motor. The car's frame is made of aluminum and housed in high-impact plastic, making the vehicle very light at 2,250 pounds.

Photo courtesy of DaimerChrysler

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Greasecar.com profiles individuals nationwide who have converted their Mercedes Benzes and Volkswagens from fuel-burning cars to clean, green, vegetable oil machines.

Photo courtesy of Greasecar.com

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General Motors says its Volt auto is not a hybrid like the Toyota Prius. Rather, the Volt is an extended-range electric vehicle with an all-electric motor (hybrids like the Prius use a combination electric/gasoline engine). The Volt includes a gas engine and, like electric cars, has a range of about 40 miles before it needs recharging -- or gas in the tank.

Photo courtesy of GM Volt.

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With a host of A-list investors and fans such as George Clooney and Matt Damon, Tesla Motors aims to make its mark with its luxury electric car. Boasting a speed of 0 to 60 mph in less that four seconds, Tesla wants sports car consumers to know they don't have to make sacrifices to go green.

Photo courtesy of Tesla Motors.

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Dynasty Electric Car Corp., based out of Delta, British Columbia, offers an array of low-speed electric cars. The cars are made to travel up to speeds of 35 mph.

Photo courtesy of Dynasty Electric Car Corp.

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e-ride Industries, based in Princeton, Minn., got its start in the electric auto industry as a golf cart manufacturer. Owner John Herou launched e-ride when the National Highway Traffic Association created the Low Speed motor vehicle class. Offering two versions of its EX model, the company markets the vehicles as suitable for residential or utility use.

Photo courtesy of e-ride Industries.

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Stations such as this are cropping up in California.

Graphic courtesy of Honda.

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This 2005 Honda FCX model is the forerunner in using hydrogen technology for consumer vehicles. Honda's latest version, the FCX Clarity, is a zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The company intends to make the model available in the United States in 2008.
Photo courtesy of Honda.

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Introduced in Japan in 1997, Toyota's Prius has become a popular vehicle choice for many environmentally conscious American consumers. The Prius gets an estimated 44 miles per gallon.

Photo courtesy of Toyota Corp.

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A snapshot of the Toyota Prius' interior dashboard Multi-Function Display. The display shows drivers the energy flow to and from the vehicle's engine and battery, and makes drivers aware of the car's battery charge level.

Photo courtesy of Toyota Corp.

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Volkswagen is once again enjoying popularity among consumers with its fuel-efficient diesel engines. Pictured is a 1977 VW Rabbit, one of VW's best-selling diesels. With high fuel efficiency and a long-lasting engines, VW is trying to curry favor again with American consumers (the autos have long been popular in Europe).

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen.

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Implementing a 2-Mode hybrid system, Chevy rolls out another one of its E85-fueled trucks. This version of the Silverado is expected to be available in late 2008.

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet.

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Ford at Thomas Edison's Fort Myers, Fla., home, 1914.
Photo by (c) Hunt, Fort Myers, Fla.

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DaimlerChrysler unveiled its prototype of the diesel-electric hybrid Mercedes-Benz Citaro in mid-2007. The prototype uses diesel-electric hybrid technology for emission-free operation when it is in battery-only mode.

Photo courtesy of DaimlerChrysler

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Ford's Trafford Park Production line in Manchester, England. (Date unknown)
Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company.

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Henry Ford with one of his Model Ts. (Date unknown).
Photo courtesy of the Henry Ford/American Association of Museums.

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This June 1912 photo (with Ford Model T's in the foreground) was taken when residents of Spring Grove, Minn., who traced their family lineage to the "Halling" area of Norway, traveled to Caledonia, Minn. The "Hallings" were met with great fanfare by the city of Caledonia.
Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company.