Future Hybrid Trucks Automakers in the United States, Japan, and Europe are looking to develop the best MPG trucks on the market in the next decade. These automakers will look to attract traditional truck owners by blending high MPG, engine power, and ample features at affordable prices.

	Target Consumers For The Best MPG Trucks The market for the best MPG trucks in the 21st century continues to expand by the month.  Construction companies remain the primary target for high MPG trucks from Ford, Toyota, and other automakers.  These companies purchase truck fleets that would make hybrid truck production quite lucrative for struggling automakers.  Company owners and operators can reduce their annual fuel expenditures by thousands of dollars by searching for the best MPG trucks available.  The sustainability of high MPG truck production rests with independent contractors and families looking for powerful but affordable trucks.  Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other professionals in building trades have to drive the best MPG trucks to reduce their costs.  These consumers look for standard and extended cab trucks that can hold a full day’s supplies as well as multiple passengers.  Families in cold weather places like Alaska, Wisconsin, and Maine look for trucks that have great handling to traverse icy and snowy roads.  The financial squeeze felt by families in the United States makes investments in high MPG trucks worthwhile in the face of rising fuel costs.  General Motors© Hybrid Trucks General Motors© has gotten ahead of the competition in producing the best MPG trucks on the market.  The recent bankruptcy proceedings for General Motors© have cast a pall over the company’s hybrid truck developments.  In the short term, the company’s GMC Sierra Hybrid® and Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid® will be sold off to clear out dealer inventories.  Consumers looking for the best MPG trucks in 2009 and 2010 can find great deals through General Motors© dealers.  The GMC Sierra Hybrid® and the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid® share plenty of characteristics because of their common manufacturer.  These hybrid trucks get 21 MPG city and 22 MPG highway, placing them among the best MPG trucks in the United States.  General Motors© has included five seats in both trucks to accommodate families and construction teams.  The company’s hybrid trucks share green features like idle turn-off, regenerative braking, and low-speed all-electric driving.  The MPG ratings of the GMC Sierra Hybrid® (http://www.gmc.com/sierra/hybrid/index.jsp) and the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid® (http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/family/silverado.do) are achieved through an advanced hybrid drivetrain.  Each truck has a 30-volt NiMH battery and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to keep MPG ratings high.  General Motors© recognizes the infancy of their hybrid vehicle program, including an eight year, 100,000 mile warranty on hybrid electric systems.  While General Motors© is struggling to return to solvency, the $20,370 price tag for a standard Chevy Silverado Hybrid® may draw consumers looking for a bargain.  Phoenix Motorcars© Ontario, CA-based Phoenix Motorcars© (http://www.phoenixmotorcars.com/index.php) has designed a hybrid truck and SUV that will hit the market in 2010.  The company’s Phoenix SUT® (Sports Utility Truck) may not get the press of a GM or Toyota vehicle, but its specifications look promising for hybrid truck owners.  The Phoenix SUT® is a 196-inch truck that can handle a 1,000-pound payload in its cargo bay.  The highlight of the Phoenix SUT® is a 100-mile all-electric range that cannot be beat in today’s market.  Phoenix Motorcars© is taking individual and fleet orders at present for delivery by fall 2010.  The Phoenix SUT® is a zero-emission truck that is powered primarily by an advanced lithium titanate battery.  The truck also features a regenerative braking system that will augment the battery’s power during stop-and-go traffic.  Phoenix Motorcars© has outfitted the SUT® with a quick-charge system that allows for a 10-minute recharge to 80% capacity from a household outlet.  The company has answered charges that hybrid and all-electric vehicles are low on power by setting the SUT’s® top speed at 95 miles per hour.  ZAP!  Motors© ZAP!  Motors© is a well-known producer of electric-powered vehicles that blend simple design, lightweight frames, and zero-emission drivetrains.  The company has recently placed its Xebra® truck (http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-truck) on the market for pre-orders.  The Xebra® truck can be reserved for later delivery for a $99 deposit, with ZAP!  Motors© producing each vehicle as orders arrive.  ZAP!  Motors© has priced the Xebra® truck at $12,500 MSRP, making it one of the most affordable high MPG trucks on the market.  The Xebra® truck is a three-wheeled utility truck that is designed for on-site use for builders and corporations.  The truck has a 500-pound maximum payload area that is sufficient for boxes, ladders, and small crates.  Drivers of the Xebra® truck can reach 40 miles per hour, which keeps it off the highway, but makes this vehicle sufficient for neighborhood trips.  ZAP!  Motors© also offers choice to its consumers with five available colors ranging from blue to copper.  Best MPG Trucks In The Future American consumers will try to find the best MPG trucks among American-based automakers.  The Big Three may have gotten a start on high MPG trucks, but foreign automakers have begun to eclipse Ford©, Chrysler© and General Motors©.  In addition to the aforementioned hybrid trucks sold through General Motors©, Chrylser© has promised a hybrid version of the Dodge Ram® during the 2011 model year.  The 2011 Dodge Ram® hybrid will use an electrically variable transmission (EVT) and a dual-mode drivetrain to achieve 30% fuel savings over the traditional model.  The Dodge Ram® hybrid will meet emissions standards in all 50 states by 2010, attracting eco-conscious consumers who are inclined to buy American trucks.  The future of high MPG cars and trucks lies with thriving automakers like Toyota©.  The Japanese automaker plans to release a hybrid version of its successful Toyota Tundra® pickup during the 2010 model year.  The 2010 Toyota Tundra® hybrid will feature a 4.7-liter V8 engine that can produce 400 horsepower when pressed into service.  Toyota© will separate itself from the competition by using lithium-ion batteries instead of NiMH batteries in its hybrid trucks.  The chemical composition of a lithium-ion battery will help the Toyota Tundra® hybrid outlast the competition.  The projected EPA fuel mileage for the 2010 Toyota Tundra® hybrid is 20 MPG for city driving and 25 MPG on the highway.

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