The Electric Mini

Mini Cooper is field-testing an all-electric vehicle, but you need to live in either the NYC or LA metro areas to participate. Great news, though, for those of us who are waiting for a small energy-efficient car that doesn't look like a bar of soap on wheels. (Disclosure: I've been driving a convertible Mini for the past two years...) The Mini E test vehicle is a plug-in electric with a range of a little over 100 miles per charge, and can be completely recharged in about three hours using a 240-volt charging station in your garage.