Only in the past few years have hybrid cars become widely available to the public - with the Prius by Toyota becoming the first to hit showrooms in Japan, back in 1997.
Since then most major car manufacturers have designed and developed their own hybrid models. Combining the usual internal combustion engine of a standard car with an electric propulsion system, recent models - such as the Peugeot HYbrid4 and the Honda Insight - have been able to produce impressive fuel economy rates.
However, rather than remaining satisfied with the current levels of success and critical acclaim enjoyed by their hybrid cars - evidenced by proven sales - many manufacturers are set to return to the drawing board in order to rework and improve on their previous designs.
For example, some car manufacturers are working to incorporate a rear wheel drive platform into the frame featured in a number of the cars driven across the world.
Whilst most hybrid cars currently take the form of a hatchback or sedan, the designs of the future are expected to feature the sleek, more redefined shapes of the old sports cars - so widely coveted by car enthusiasts - in their designs, making a sports car that provides a good fuel economy rate a real possibility.
In anticipation of a growing number of hybrid cars, one of the biggest US manufacturers is training its technicians in preparation for the raft of innovations and design tweaks that are expected to become commonplace in the future.
Although standard technicians are qualified enough to carry out a service on a standard car, there are specific pieces of equipment needed for a hybrid car service. This specialist equipment includes, for example, a device capable of handling the 270 volts produced by a hybrid car battery.
The technology used in these cars is also set to progress - becoming more cutting edge year by year. This specialist training will also ensure that these technicians are adept in dealing with applications of a truly futuristic nature - in addition to carrying out a basic task, such as an oil change.
As well as seeing an expansion of the propulsion features in many of the hybrid cars driven now, it seems likely that in the future we'll see the introduction of an optional V8 engine in these low-emission vehicles - appealing to the sentimental streak of traditionalists.
Solar cell technology is also expected to feature heavily in the hybrid cars of the near future. Harnessing solar power through panels installed on the boot and bonnet of the vehicle, this system presents the possibility for a battery that recharges when the car is stationary or when the engine is switched off. The lightweight body of these vehicles would also allow for the amount of energy used to be reduced.
Whilst some may claim that the potential implementation of these features is some way off or even just pure speculation, one thing that can be guaranteed is that as hybrid cars will continue to be more and more fuel efficient - which can only be a good thing, both for the wallet and the environment.
The technology used in hybrid cars is developing at an astonishingly fast pace. This article looks at the potential features that we could see being introduced into hybrid vehicles in the future.