There are more and more "unconventional-conventional" combustion engines being made these days that claim to get 40mpg. Mazda calls it Skyactiv technology. BO says that in a matter of years, such cars will get 55mpg. Hybrids already can't compete because of the higher purchase price, and in cold weather they don't do as well as when it's warm. I'm not sold on them, if you can't tell.