CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

The TRIAC is a zero-emission vehicle that's now on sale and does the hybrid car one better by reducing one of the wheels and getting rid of the gas completely. It can reach top speeds of 80 mph and has a range of between 60 to 100 miles. An optional capacity boost battery adds 25 per cent on top of that.

Designed by Green Vehicles, the TRIAC, costs about $20,000 and comes in a nifty range of colors including, of course, green. The zero-emission vehicle charges up in six hours. Green Vehicles claims the charge is as simple as plugging in a toaster.

The company has also taken steps to make sure the grown-up tricycle isn't off-balance. The car's center of gravity is well below that of most vehicles and each TRIAC is equipped with a structural steel cage of the kind used in race cars to protect passengers, a safety feature which probably doesn't quite compensate for the lack of air bags.