zero emissions

Belgian luxury auto maker Imperia Automobiles is reviving their car-making facilities in Liege. Now for $140,000 and change you can get a hybrid gasoline/electric retro-looking GP roadster. This beast will get you from 0 to 60 in four seconds using hybrid mode.

Drop into electric-only mode and you'll add only two seconds to that time. The secret the Imperia GP's dual power plants, including a 1.6 liter turbocharged direct-injected gasoline engine with 209 horsepower. The electric induction motor kicks another 74 horsepower to the wheels.

Nissan is pulling out all the stops on its latest concept car dubbed the ESFLOW. This vehicle is based on the same technology they have already used on their electric production vehicle the LEAF. One major difference is that the LEAF won't hit 60 mph in under 5 seconds.

ESFLOW promises a 150 mile range on one charge, with laminated lithium-ion batteries mounted low for optimum handling and weight distribution. The aluminum chassis and composite body panels reduce weight to help extend driving range and improve performance.

When most people think of the benefits of an electric car, the first thing that comes to mind might be the savings on fuel costs or the lack of exhaust fumes. Ford wants you to know that when it comes to the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, there are over 25 conventional car parts that will never require maintenance or replacement, because they don't exist.

Thanks to the fully electric drivetrain a multitude of engine accessories, fluids, hoses, belts and spark plugs that normally need replacement within 10 years or 150,000 miles are made irrelevant. Besides saving money in the long run, this means far less time spent on trips to the mechanic and routine maintenance.

How about an all-terrain bike for short commutes and off-road racing that never needs gas? The O2 Pursuit is dubbed an urban motorcycle and was featured in the Melbourne Design Awards this December. Compressed air from a portable tank provides the energy to drive a small engine, a concept which has been proven on larger vehicles already headed towards production.

Of course fossil fuels might be burned to generate the electricity required to compress the air. Ideally the system would use clean energy to accomplish the task, such as solar or wind. After the tanks are full the designers envision a place where riders could swap out air tanks quickly and be on their way.

What carries 5 adults, goes from 0-60 miles per hour in 5.6 seconds, and doesn't burn a drop of gasoline? Only the Tesla Model S.

With a 300 mile range and a $50,000+ price tag this vehicle is the company's most ambitious project yet. The specifications are incredible considering Tesla just launched its first vehicle, the Roadster, in 2008.

The Magenn Power Air Rotor System (MARS) uses helium to float at 400-1000 feet altitude, where the winds have potential to produce double the electrical output over ground based systems. The MARS is portable and generates power as the stationary rotor spins facing the wind.

Prototypes have already flown and a 10-25 kW version is planned for production by 2010. Advantages of the MARS include competitive electricity prices at under 15 cents per kWh. The units are not a threat to birds or bats, and operate extremely quietly. Magenn plans to initially target markets where infrastructure

Schwinn has officially entered the 21st century with a splash after almost 114 years of making bicycles. Pictured below is the Continental, retailing for 2400 bucks. Why is this bike so special? Plug it in for four hours and it will give you electric motor drive

for up to 60 miles. This machine boasts a light aluminum frame and completely streamlined electrical system. Can you even tell where the battery is located? The Continental is an entirely new take on an old concept, integrating the

How about a 400cc motorbike that goes from 0-50 in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 62 miles per hour? What if this same hog required no gasoline and produced no emissions? The future is now, and the Vectrix promises a range of

up to 65 miles on a 3-5 hour charge. Plug in anywhere and hit the throttle alone or with a passenger. The regenerative disc braking system will conserve energy while stopping on Pirelli tires and