Are you ready for a futuristic ride that actually looks futuristic? The XR3 plug-in 3-wheeled hybrid was specially constructed to be as light as possible. It’s just a bonus that it also ended up looking as cool as possible.

It’s ready to enter production phase, and we can’t wait for it to hit the streets. The XR3′s “through-the-road hybrid system” allows for 200mpg. When it reverts to its 23 hp diesel engine it will achieve 125 mpg, which is pretty good too. If you run out of fuel, the li-ion battery pack will provide 40 miles.

Chargers for plug-in electric vehicles are nothing new, but the folks at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have some smart plans for their new Smart Charger Controller. They hope that it might one day serve as a standard charger for all manner of electric vehicles.

Apparently each controller would be wirelessly linked to the local electric company, which would feed the controller power prices and other pertinent information so that it can charge during non-peak hours. That right there will save owners roughly $150 a year. It might even be able to sense “stress conditions” and shut down before the grid overloads.