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I'd buy that in a second: the Toyota A-BAT concept
Toyota is working a compact hybrid truck, the A-BAT. In my book, that's exactly what the Dr. ordered, and I would buy one in a heartbeat (if and when they go into production).
More details will be available when the A-BAT hits the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month, but reports, and common sense, seem to indicate that it will be based on the Electric-Gas hybrid system Toyota uses in the Prius et al. That boils down to an efficient electric car with a gas assist. Word is that in addition to the standard hybrid technological fare (the electric system, regenerative braking, CVT, etc) it also has a solar panel laden dashboard. The "truck" is very small, but does have a back seat, and has a "bed" that can be extended to 8 feet with the tailgate down (plenty to haul light stuff). Above all that, it looks cool (I know it's in the eye of the beholder, but I like it, it says cool to me).
Perfect (almost).
Warning, car related mini-personal-rant to follow: I am driving a 10 year old CR-V now, after my kids came along and I had to sell a 2000 Insight with no back seat. I haven't bought a new vehicle in the last 3-4 years - despite wanting a new one, and driving around a paid off ancient clunker - because I just can't find anything that I really want. And, I have tried and tried to find something that would catch my fancy, nuthin has - until the A-BAT.
I like the FJ Cruiser, but it gets crappy mileage. I like several full size trucks, the Dodge, and the Toyota models - but there is no way in hell I am going to buy something that gets ~15-18 mpg. I like the Highlander Hybrid, but it gets fairly mediocre mileage, and the premium price isn't worth it over the regular Highlander. I like several Subaru models, but none really get great mileage there either. I like the Prius itself too, almost bought one, but it's just too small and "delicate" for what I need. I do actually drive off road.
I have a roof rack for mountain bikes and kayaks, and I use it. I drive on mountain roads, gravel, dirt, etc. I also tow a boat with the CR-V. A small center console that weights right at the CR-V limit, 1000lbs, but it gets the job done. And, the CR-V, as old and crusty as it is, gets ~23, is 4WD, and seems to be unstoppable (160K and counting). Now, I doubt the A-BAT will be able to meet any towing requirements, but I am willing to give that up for something that can be the commuter vehicle, handle some minor off road travels, carry the cargo, and gets better than 30-40 mpg (I will also get a beater truck for that, or something).
Sure, the A-BAT is no VentureOne, but it might be pretty capable, very efficient, and able to carry more than one passenger. Guess I will drive the CR-V a bit longer, while waiting on the A-BAT, or something along those lines, to make it to production.
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I am still not sold on
I am still not sold on hybrid technology. I do not like the idea of the mix of two different energy sources to create more issues. I prefer the modern day cleaner buring diesel engine. With advances like the upcoming Volkswagon Jetta TDI, I hope we see more cars like this. The Jetta appears to get around 45 mpg without depending on a hybrid technology. The other nice thing is that you can run it on Biodiesel which is becoming more available (New Station in Atlanta). While I am still not an expert on diesel I am in the process of reading Diesel@Wikipedia
My hope is just that the Jetta is somewhat reasonable so I can afford to buy one.
Biodiesel and Diesel
Diesel sucks, in the states.
Nothing is perfect, but the non plugin Hybrid is the best approach in my mind. Using stuff like solar panels and regenerative braking to recharge the battery is clean energy (now, there are valid issues like where the battery comes from, and where it goes at end of life, etc, but those are minor compared to fossil fuel issues).
Biodiesel makes absolutely NO sense, *unless* the source of the fuel is recycled cooking oil, or plants that have a very high yield, like sugarcane (which works well for Brazil). Biodiesel based on corn is just total bullshit - and that is what GM is trying to sell us no (seen their E85 logo on their cars and shit, horrible, thanks for coming late and offering nothing GM).
Regular diesel is more efficient than gasoline, absolutely. Nevertheless, it is still a huge concern in terms of particulate pollution - and it's still a fossil fuel. Particularly in the US the quality of diesel fuel has historically been CRAP, but it is getting better (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-low_sulfur_diesel - and note that even IF and WHEN the states uses ULSD everywhere, the particulate pollution will STILL suck until vehicles are all retrofitted, the fuel is only step one). I certainly agree that diesel is BETTER than gasoline, especially if we can actually use clean diesel technologies, but I don't think it's better than other alternative non-fossil fuel solutions (and the non-plugin hybrid thing is still fossil fuels too, I just think it probably outweighs diesel when you consider emissions also, rather than just distance per gallon of dead dinosaurs - again, neither is perfect).
Agree that neither is
Agree that neither is perfect, though I think for the near term we have more opportunity with Diesel technology. I do think with less work, diesel engines could use alternate fuels other then corn and used cooking oil. The original diesel engine was actually fueled by peanut oil. We are still a ways away from something like an affordable efficient fuel cell like the Honda FCX.