I recently read in Kelley Blue Book Online's green car section that a hundred years ago when the car industry was in its fledgling days, city families (when they could afford cars) often employed a two-car strategy. The family would own an electric car for in-town driving, and a gas-powered car for long trips. Here we are at Christmas a hundred years later -- with the Internet, Blackberry devices, satellite radio and television, and Ed Begley, Jr. -- and I submit that this two-car strategy should have been maintained throughout the 20th century, and is the right one for present day. Hybrids, in my opinion, are not practical. Flex fuel cars and hydrogen cars are just not there yet. And CNG cars will only carry us for a short time, if at all. My long-term "money" is on flex fuel cars, and a hope that hydrogen cars or long-range electric cars can take over in earnest within a couple decades.

Until that day, the two-car strategy looks right to me. So, in the hopes that Santa will want to give up his sleigh for the two-car strategy, I submit to you that a tiny short-range electric commuter car is the perfect Christmas gift.

You might be amazed at what you and the elves can get done out Christmas shopping -- or any time of year -- in a little electric car. The reason I propose a two-car strategy is -- at this time -- there is no electric car that can travel long distances, or over highways. That said, most people know behemoth vehicles are ridiculous for trips to the grocery store or shopping on Main Street. You don't need something the size of Santa's sleigh to pick up a couple bags of food and toiletries. The two-car strategy costs roughly the same (in sticker price) as buying any hybrid excluding the Prius or the Civic Hybrid. That said, when compared with buying a Prius or Civic alone, you may find that in your specific situation, you actually spend less on gas, and about the same for insurance with the two-car strategy.

If giving a car to your spouse or child as a Christmas gift sounds like a good idea to you, then I hope you can see why giving an electric car is even better.

Electric cars:

• attract attention
• pay for themselves over time
• never need an oil change
• cost a penny per mile to drive
• make you oblivious to gas prices
• run at no worse than 98% emission free, if your electricity is supplied by conventional means
• are 100% emission free, if you have access to solar, wind power, or some other form of green energy
• cut your auto insurance premiums by more than 50%
• cannot fly, but neither can reindeer (shh!)
• are the perfect Christmas gift

At this writing, since long-range and high-performance electric cars are in development but not on the market, you can acquire an electric car for $10k-$25k. Consider that you will not be buying gas or oil, that there are far less moving parts, and your auto insurance will go down significantly, and you can see the value of these little buggers.

Now, get going, and get going green.