There’s always ethanol. But the problem with ethanol is that there are no E85 gas stations outside of Iowa, at least until Congress spends our tax dollars on an emergency spending bill that takes oil companies off the hook by paying for the national distribution of E85 fuel. Until then, we’ll continue to pay $3 to $4 for a gallon. Where did I put that bus schedule?

Anyway, all the noise about ethanol has actually roused the Hybrid King from his contented slumber. Toyota, up to now the leader in all things hybrid, has announced plans to sell ethanol cars in the US by 2008. It will surprise no one that Toyota is already developing flexible fuel vehicles for South America. The automaker says that it needs to ensure that the highly corrosive nature of ethanol won’t eat away at engine seals. Toyota also claims that a lower mix of 10-15 percent ethanol into gas might actually produce greater savings.

Ethanol. Hybrids. Diesel. What’s a car buyer to do? Go out and buy a compact vehicle that emits low emissions and gets great fuel mileage, that’s what. Many people are already doing that, in fact, as the subcompact market is booming, with new tiny boxes such as the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Chevy Aveo and, believe it or not, the upcoming Ford Reflex, either selling well or much anticipated. The success of the Dodge Caliber, a new small hatchback from Dodge (you know, the truck guys) is proof positive that we car buyers are looking for small and simple. Heck, hybrids are nice, and E85 would be great – but who can afford such boutique solutions, when all you have to do is buy an efficient subcompact?