ToMoCo, world’s largest seller of hybrid vehicles has announced that it will start selling hydrogen cars by 2015 or can be earlier for Japan, California and Germany. The hydrogen vehicles will be sold as an alternative to battery-powered models that are coming out in the market. The Japanese automaker has been finding ways on how they could cut cost in producing their hydrogen vehicles so that they will be able to sell their models for less than $100,000.

In an interview with Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota’s Executive Vice President for Research and Product Development at the Detroit auto show he said, “I have high expectations for fuel-cell vehicles as a candidate for next-generation cars. Over the past several years, we’ve seen many of the outstanding technical issues solved.”

It can be noted that over the past decade the eagerness of manufacturers to produce hydrogen vehicles dwindle due to the high cost involved. It was estimated that around $1 million is required to produce a vehicle. The other problem was the lack of fueling stations but not anymore since Toyota and twelve other Japanese companies including Honda, Nissan and JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp. are now planning to build 100 hydrogen fueling stations by 2015.

Uchiyamada also mentioned, “When it comes to fuel cars, the cruising distance is almost comparable to conventional gasoline-engine cars.”

ToMoCo’s first hydrogen cars for retail buyers is scheduled to hit dealerships by 2015 or can be sooner in a statement made by Akio Toyoda, the company’s President. But for now Toyota is still finalizing their marketing strategy for their hydrogen vehicles and still contemplating whether the initial model will bear the Toyota brand or that of the Lexus brand. The price range of Toyota’s hybrid models will be around $50,000.

As for performance specifications and other details Uchiyamada said that they will soon release a statement on it.

I guess we’ll just have to wait for now.

Everybody knows the name Piaggio, not unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for too long. The brand has been synonymous for creating the reverse trike model, which revolutionized motorcycle driving as we know it. That’s because two years ago, Piaggio launched the MP3 that looks like any other scooter; except for the fact that it has two front wheels that lean in 40-degree angles. The idea is to tap into the market of those who can, but don’t like the idea of doing it two wheels. So far, Piaggio is doing a good job of convincing these people to jump fence.

Now, the said manufacturer takes its funky scooter to another level with the release of the Piaggio MP3 hybrid. The reverse trike offers an amazing MPG rating of 141, which is what everybody needs these days. Basically, the whole idea behind this trike it to effortlessly let people recharge its batteries by simply plugging them into a socket.

This Hybrid Piaggio MP3 isn’t only built to be economical, because it can also zoom to 60 miles in less than 5 seconds. Although that’s far from a Teslda Roadster-like performance, it’s still pretty nifty considering that it only does that in three wheels. The fact is, it’s simply what motor enthusiasts have been clamoring for years. It’s a plug-in reverse trike that does not only look good, but performs well too.

Unlike the Toyota Prius for instance that emits over 100 grams of carbon per kilometer, the Hybrid Piaggio MP3 only gives off 40, while its motor charges the battery simultaneously. Moreover, traction shouldn’t be a problem at all according to the company representatives, because the two front wheels are designed to improve traction and stability during cornering. The downside of this trike is its price, because according to sources, you need at least eight thousand grand to get this one. That’s enough money to get you a brand new Kia Picanto or a Cherry QQ.