Tighter purse strings and volatile oil prices mean consumers are demanding more and more from their cars - better mileage, durability, environmentally conscious. We take a look at some of the cars that are driving the green revolution.

Photo: AP Toyota was one of the first automakers to put an environment friendly car on the mainstream market -- so popular that even Hollywood celebrities have been spotted driving them. Toyota has sold over 1 million units --  800,000 in the United States.»Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

Toyota will soon launch its new plug-in Prius. The plug-in has two batteries and will run at up to 62 mph before the gasoline engine kicks in. This is more than double the speed of the conventional Prius.»Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

You can plug-in the new Prius into any regular power outlet in your house! It will be available at the end of 2009.»Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

Photo: AP The Honda FCX Clarity is the world's first hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle. They are expensive to produce. Each car costs several hundred thousand dollars to manufacture. »Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

The fuel cell unit combines hydrogen with oxygen to generate electricity. The electricity then powers the electric motor, which in turn propels the vehicle. »Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

The by-products don't produce any pollutants -- they only emit heat and water.»Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

Mitsubishi's i MiEV will be the first wholly electric mass produced vehicle to hit the consumer market in 2009, ahead of all other competition. This plug-in features roof-top solar panels and wind turbines in the front grill. The car can also be charged with a wireless microwave charger.»Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

A 5-minute charge will allow an i Miev to travel 24.8 miles while a 10-minute charge will see it cover 31 miles. A full charge will give it a range of 99.4 miles. »Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

This is a prototype of Nissan's electric car. The current battery weighs 661 pounds and on a full charge, the vehicle should have a range of 99.4 miles. Nissan forged an alliance with Silicon Valley start-up, Project Better Place, which will construct and operate an electric recharge grid in cities that sign up to their program. Israel, Denmark and Australia have signed up to build these grids. »Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

Photo: AP The Tesla is a wholly electric sportscar, the brainchild of PayPal founder, Elon Musk. It promises to deliver high performance -- taking a mere 4 seconds to hit 62/mph.»Replay Slideshow»Slideshow: Green Improvements »Green Complete Coverage

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