While these electric and alternative fuel cars are what we think of when we think about future cars, the fact is that the electric car was around far before the gas car was. However, the gas car made it obsolete. Electric cars date back to the 1800's and while far inferior to electric cars today, they ran on the same concept, they were battery powered, not gas powered. The future of cars, while not entirely clear seems to be heading in a more environmentally friendly, more cost efficient direction.

Let's take a look at some of the "in the works" future cars, and then take a look at some of the hopes for cars in the futures, and the technologies being studied to help make future cars a reality:

Super cars

One of the biggest ideas for future cars are those referred to as "Supercars." These are cars that have higher horsepower, torque, speed, and better handling than existing cars on the road today. These are cars that would not just have a V8, but a V10 or higher engine. These cars would be gas guzzlers, but they would also be showier, drive faster, and be higher performing cars then other cars on the road. These are like the luxury sports cars, and the high end expensive cars that you would see famous movie stars driving, not your average American family.

Smart cars

Other future cars are those that are like the Smart Cars we see today. They are smaller, more efficient, compact and designed as a get around town kind of car, not for high luxury, and not for transporting families or children. These cars are extremely compact making them easy to fit into tight park spaces, such as curb parking in New York City. They are also very fuel efficient. One of the best things about these future cars is that they are not going to cost you as much as the typical future car does, in fact, most of these cars have a small price tag, and can be purchased for around ten to fifteen thousand. These are not cars that will work for people who need to be able to tow other vehicles, toys, etc.

Hybrid SUV's

The next futuristic car that is in the works are hybrid SUV's. The problem with SUV's right now is that they have poor fuel economy. While they are great for being able to take a lot of people places, to have room for all your junk, and to take boats, campers, and other things on vacation with you, they are hard on the wallet from week to week. So, auto industries are working to develop bigger, better hybrids that offer all the advantages of a sport utility vehicle without the astronomical fuel cost to operate. In the future we will probably see a smaller breed of sport utility vehicles that offer alternative fuel sources, or less powerful engines, but with the room of an SUV.

Green/hybrid cars

Green and hybrid cars are becoming more and more common on the road and are less noticeable because they look almost identical to gasoline powered cars. They are environmentally friendly, producing far fewer pollutants, and making the air cleaner for everyone. Besides the environmental aspect, green cars can also be easier on your wallet from week to week. So, these future cars have much better fuel economy and emit less harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Diesel fueled vehicles

Diesel fuel has long been used, but the fact is that gasoline took over for a variety of reasons, and one of those is convenience. However, today, diesel and alternative fuel cars that can compete in gas mileage terms with much smaller vehicles, making them a great option for future vehicles. Diesel fuel can be more efficiently burned than other fuel options, and this means out performance for a fraction of the cost in fuel. So, while diesel costs more per gallon at the pump, the fuel goes further.

Interiors

Some of the big advances in future cars have little to do with the fuel, or mode of power, but what is inside the car. People are spending more and more time in their vehicles, so simplistic interiors designed for functionality only are on the way out. In coming are designer interiors tricked out with all the latest technology, such as iPod docking stations, GPS, refrigerators, Satellite radio, sound systems to rival a club, heated seats, voice activated phones, and more. Technology and gadgetry are a big part of the future of cars.

Exterior

The exterior of the car is changing and part of future cars as well. You see new designs, drastic changes for better aerodynamics, and more. Exotic paint jobs, smoother lines, etc.

Flying Cars

While flying cars may be a ways off still, they are something that is being considered for future cars, and is a part of the future car technology. Milner and Moller are one company that is in the early stages of creating an air car. The idea is that the car will have wings that can fold into the sides of the car. It will be used as a long distance commuter vehicle, almost like a small aircraft and it is hoped that it could be flown at cruise speeds of over 300 miles per hour, making commutes much easier. Obviously there are a lot of complications to this idea, such as how traffic of this type would be handled, where would these flying cars take off from, land, etc. but the fact is these are future cars, and there is an exciting future ahead of us, despite the obstacles that would have to be overcome before we get to that.

In summary

One of the most important considerations of future cars is the energy source that they will rely on. Oil is at an all time high, and pollution is not much better. So, the automobile industry is trying to remedy both of these problems with future cars. While people are hoping that eventually they can just charge their cars in a wall outlet at home, the technology is still a few years away from that.

Electric cars are improving, and with them the cost of fuel. However, the initial costs are still quite high. Hybrids, cars that are part electric, part gasoline are more affordable, and accomplish many of the same results. But the future still holds better.

Hydrogen cars exist now, and have also been a hot item because the only emission from hydrogen powered cars is pure water, which makes them very environmentally friendly. However, this technology is still far too expensive for the general consumer.

Other alternative fuel options offered by future car manufacturers include things such as alcohol, E85 Ethanol, and in some cases even things like wheat. However, these too are inaccessible and too expensive for the general public.

The fact is that the future of cars is changing, and future cars are becoming the cars of today. While we are not yet flying to work, or simply telling our vehicle where we want to go, and having it drive us there itself, we are making significant progress in the area of alternative fuel, fuel economy, and of course of the amount of pollutants that are being emitted into the air. For more information on what the future of cars is, you simply have to look at what manufacturers are researching and working on, nothing is impossible, and it is amazing where we have gotten to today.