Here's some websites for the alternative-minded:

Gas-powered 8.0L VIPER Wrangler:
http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/features/1999/03/

Gas-powered 5.7L HEMI Wrangler:
http://www.aev-conversions.com/Vehicle_Hemi.html

Ethanol (E85, FFV):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060424/FREE/60414007/1029
http://www.ethanol.org/e85storage.html
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byfueltype.htm
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=34440

Diesel (S15 -2007):
http://www.dieselnet.com/standards/us/hd.html
http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/diesel/ulsd.shtml
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/ulsd/chapter1.html

Hybrid Electric (HEV):
http://www.hybridcars.com/
http://www.greenhybrid.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_vehicle
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6477931/site/newsweek/

H2 Fuel Cells (FCV):
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml
http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/adv_tech/

Hydraulic Hybrid drivetrain (HHD):
http://www.epa.gov/futureofscience/invest/suv.html
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/03/epa_and_univ_of.html
http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/21/Autos/hydraulic_hybrids/

Stirling (the "hot air" engine):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine
http://www.sesusa.org/
http://freeenergynews.com/Directory/StirlingEngine/index.html

Trilithium crystals:
http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Trilithium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilithium

I would like to also see a more extensive survey of what Jeep owners want out of a future JEEP...

Would Jeepers want a Gas Engine?
Turbocharged?
Supercharged?
2 stroke?
4 stroke?
Direct Injection?
Diesel?
Stirling Engine?
Light Hybrid?
Heavy Hybrid?
Electromotive Drive? (no transmission, transfer case, or driveshfts, just electric motors)

My vote goes for a Willys 2-based Off roader with a Stirling Genset powering a Hydraulic Hybrid Drivetrain with 4 wheel independent suspension and dual electric/hydraulic portal hubs at each wheel, (stretched out of course to the extreme ends of the vehicle to maximize footprint and require the lowest possible mileage rating), and battery backup to travel 20 miles on electric-only power (great for amphibious excursions).

I'm glad to see this article, after having talked about the advantages of a Hybrid Jeep so much in the past.

I think people are misinformed about Hybrid systems.
First of all, like any other component in a car (paint, drivetrain, emissions, etc), just because the hybrid battery pack is only warranted for 100,000 miles doesn't mean it is going to fizzle out at 100,001 miles. That would be like saying that your car is going to die at 36,001 miles because the warranty is only for that long.

Peak battery charging is what ruins battery life. Unlike other batteries, hybrid battery packs will last longer because they are never 100% fully charged or fully discharged. They hover somewhere around the 85% charged level, and ususlly don't dip below 20%.

If Jeepers want simplicity, do away with the drivetrain completely, put hub mounted electric motors at each wheel, and have Stirling Engine turning a 3kW generator to supplement the 300 V battery system, or dare I say it, The dreaded Hydraulic Hybrid Drivetrain which would get 40 MPG on road and be UNSTOPPABLE off road?

Along with what you guys (and gals) already mentioned, the part about SUV hybirds caught my eye. I had been hearing rumours about GM doing away with the H2, then I saw it as a possible hybrid model for next year. Wonder what the truth really is.

Not that I care, just curious. Besides I planned on getting one of those "Hummer recovery vehicle" spare tire covers for my soon to be purchased Jeep.

How many people nowadays actually own a vehicle from brand new to 100K miles?? IMHO the ONLY real-world benefit to current hybrids is they use less gas than their petrol counterparts. They certainly won't save you any money long-term due to the high cost to "upgrade" to the hybrid powertrain. Sure, you might save some $$$ at the pumps, but you pay for it up front in the price of the car. And you may be putting out less pollution, but in the grand scheme of things you're also dealing with increased environmental concerns and costs with production and disposal/recycling of the battery packs, especially when you consider that some of these cars are going to get wrecked on the road. And if you are lucky enough to get to that 100K mile payoff point, your batteries are out of warranty and you face a potential $3500+ cost to replace them.

I found the comments by the Prius owners bragging about their 40-50mpg averages to be quite funny, considering you can pretty easily get that kind of mileage out of a TDi Jetta.

All things considered, I'd much rather have a JK with a gas or diesel engine, save the extra $3-4K for fuel (& accessories) and avoid any surprise maintenance costs for the hybrid powertrain. Isn't THAT what Jeep stands for: simplicity, reliability and function?

Up to $5K if the battery pack craps out?? That even makes a new tranny sound cheap!

And up to 100K miles to breakeven on the initial added cost? (IF that's all the added cost there is...)

If the best Hybrid warranties are for 100K miles, there's gonna be a lot of used Toyotika Prii for sale when they hit 99K miles.

I'm still not very clear on the shortcomings. You do make back the extra money you spent on gas at 100K miles. The used value is a question mark but so is the used value of any new model vehicle. Gas mileage isn't as good advertised but it never is. There is the disposal of some battery packs at about 100K but it seems to me if they are recycled properly (like regular automotive batteries are) then battery disposal would be seriously outwieghted by the reduction in emissions. And if you think that CRD is going to have a lot of torque, just wait until a comparable electric motor is handling the low range.

Are hybrids the answer to everything? Of couse not. But I can certainly see why they are popular.

There was a story on CNBC by Jane Wells a few days ago which stated that Prius owners are selling their used hybrids for MORE than what they originally paid...