Frequent readers of HybridMile have read plenty of articles about all-electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. These stories rarely touch on the American public’s broader knowledge of electric vehicles. The assumption that every American household is familiar with all-electric and hybrid options is challenged by a recent report from the UC-Davis Institute of Transportation Studies.

Readers of HybridMile have read a few stories in the past about Nissan’s commitment to bringing hybrid and all-electric vehicles to the market in the near future. The motor company’s representatives used its advanced technology briefing to unveil additional information about HEV and EV offerings that are slated for 2010. Nissan also highlighted its ongoing development of lithium ion battery packs that will enable both vehicles to operate efficiently.

China’s temporary efforts to clean up Beijing for the ongoing Olympic Games have opened up opportunities for companies like Ricardo Company and Chery to show off green products. Ricardo has partnered with the Chinese automaker to create 50 hybrid vehicles for transportation and mail delivery during the Games. These “Olympic Green Messengers” use Chery’s A5 sedan body to provide ample room for passengers and supplies between stops in the Olympic Village.

The upcoming release of the Typ-1 electric vehicle by California-based Aptera Motors has been buoyed by recent investments from companies like Google.com. Aptera Motors has received nearly $24 million in venture funding from Google.com, Esenjay Investments, Actacell and Idealab to advance development of the next generation of electric vehicles. The executives at Aptera Motors have stated that they want to use most of the funding to improve its production facility in Vista, California.

The lofty promises and early returns on hybrid vehicles in the United States show a slow but steady move toward fuel-efficient vehicles. Poulsen Hybrid is hoping to accelerate the market for hybrid vehicles while dealing with the issue of vehicle obsolescence with its hybrid conversion kit. Most kits that have been tried in recent years have required professional assistance and adjustments to a vehicle’s vital systems. The manufacturer’s kit promises to help drivers perform their own conversions with its unique rear-wheel attachments.

The Toyota Prius has been the standard bearer for the hybrid vehicle market since the turn of the century. Toyota is not resting on its reputation for reliability and fuel efficiency among loyal customers in the 2009 and 2010 model years. The next generation of Prius sedans will feature solar panels from Kyocera that will offset energy used by internal systems.

The Detroit Free Press has reported that Chrysler has created a new division called ENVI to develop vehicles that run entirely on electricity. Chrysler’s representatives stated that ENVI’s work toward advanced motor systems will take between three to five years to produce anything viable in the marketplace. Many experts see the newly created ENVI division as a response to fuel efficiency standards and grumblings by dealers about Chrysler’s sales.

Innovative Transport Solutions and the Cooperative Research Center for Forestry have unveiled their efforts to improve fuel efficiency in the Australian forestry industry. This mixture of private dollars and academic knowledge are geared toward production of retrofitting kits for 6x6 trucks used by lumber companies. Innovative is also working toward a kit that can convert common 6x4 vehicles into 6x6 trucks as well as a truck conversion kit for distribution in America by 2009.

A recent study published by TNS Infratest reveals cultural chasms related to hybrid, plug-in and electrical vehicles. The market research firm contacted 1,000 motorists each from the United States, Germany, China, France, England, Japan, Austria and Switzerland regarding hybrid vehicles. The broad brushstrokes of this study show that 36% of all participants are interested in buying a hybrid vehicle and 45% have changed driving behaviors based on rising fuel costs.

Nissan is trying to get out from behind the shadow of Toyota and Honda with its long-term commitment to electrical vehicles. CEO Carlos Ghosn spoke about Nissan’s commitment to zero-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles in a meeting with stockholders this week. Ghosn has stated that Nissan’s electric vehicles would help put drivers in China, India and other growing countries into new cars without adding to pollution.