Hybrids, for Alzo and Bazz. A Daimler-Chrysler (Mercedes) A-class converted to run off a fuel cell goes for about $1 million. That is too expensive. 5kW of solar panels for your roof, $50,000. That is too expensive, considering what electricity costs. I can spend $45,000 on a brand new Volkswagon Beetle or $35,000 on a new Honda Civic hybrid that provides better performance off the line and way better fuel economy. How is that too expensive? Bazz: none of my research indicates a pure diesel that gets 65 miles per gallon. Perhaps you are thinking of the Smart Fourtwo cdi, which gets nearly 80 miles per gallon compared to the civic hybrid's 60 miles per gallon (both advertised figures and probably not attainable in the real world). Of course, the Smart cdi is a diesel-electric hybrid, and is anyone willing to admit that it's a 'real' car? For offsetting peak oil, though, we should all buy one right now - and drive around the streets in the knowledge that when that 4WD ploughs through you, you're toast.

Esatwood,
The BBC program Top Gear recently did a test of the Prius and
that was their comment.
There are a number of small diesal cars on the market
in Europe, Renault and Citreon among them.
As it was a recent program it may be on their web site.