It seems as if it were only yesterday, that this was just was a visionary concept. Automobiles that would not cause so much damage to the environment. Vehicles that would not be so expensive to drive. Cars that would use alternative energy to accomplish these dreams. However, dreams do come true, and these types of cars have been on the roads for several years already. The first successful hybrid vehicle introduced to the United States became available in 2000. Since then, as the cost of driving traditional automobiles goes ever higher, the value of hybrid vehicles also goes higher, while the purchase price lowers considerably.

Hybrid automobiles still use gasoline as the main fuel source, to run much smaller, more efficient engines, with electric motors or batteries used to power the vehicle as well.

Incredibly, the batteries recharge while the engine is running, so the hybrid vehicles are able to vastly improve the mile per gallon of gasoline ratio that is utilized. During these years of remarkably high gasoline prices, this feature alone inspires the high purchase rate of hybrid vehicles. Increased and improved safety standards and features incorporated in modern hybrids offer additional incentive as well.

The future is now, and these are a few of the cars of the future. The Ford Escape Hybrid Electric is a sport utility vehicle that offers an awe inspiring 40 mpg. It does this by using an electric motor for city driving, and a gasoline engine for highway driving. When the vehicle is stopped, the gasoline engine shuts down, and is started again by the batteries.Another sport utility vehicle that is also offered as a hybrid is the Lexus RX 400h. While the Lexus is a luxury SUV, it gives quite a few awesome features for the money you pay. Implementing an electric motor in combination with a gasoline engine, you'll be able to achieve 30 mpg during city driving, and 28 mpg while on the highway.Hybrid vehicles in the standard to mid-size market are being led by the Honda Civic This powerful hybrid is leading the pack with an outstanding performance of 68 miles per gallon for highway driving. When accelerating, or climbing hills, the car is powered by the electric motor, and the primary running source is the 4-cylinder engine. The energy expended during forward momentum is harnessed and the batteries in this vehicle are recharged by a regenerative braking system.The Toyota Prius is another innovative hybrid vehicle. This economically and environmentally sound car combines an efficient gas engine, with an electric motor that powers the car while driving at slow speeds. When you are driving in the city or on the highway, the engine is powered by both the engine and the motor, while recharging the batteries. The Toyota Prius is not far behind the Honda Civic, with an impressive average of 52 mpg.

The future looks brighter every day. Every one of the major automobile manufacturers, both in the USA, and abroad have either already introduced a hybrid, or have one in the works. And every day, additional improvements are being envisioned and implemented.