With the uber high prices of gasoline nowadays, automobile companies are scrambling to make hybrid cars that would lessen fuel consumption and be environment-friendly at the same time.

Toyota has already introduced the Prius and other companies are following suit-- one of them is General Motors (GM). Although they are lagging behind in the hybrid vehichles section, they are out to prove that just because their late in the game doesn't mean they can't dominate.

In fact, GM is looking at the possibility of a new version known as "plug-in hybrids" not yet on the market, which can offer drivers even better mileage, according to sources who are allegedly familiar with company plans. This sounds like a good plan since hybrid automobiles rely on on both a gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor.

This won't be the first time that GM would be offering an electronic powered car. If you could recall, the company offered a limited production of an electric-only car, the EV1, for five years starting in 1996. But it sold only 411 units in 2000, the last year they were available.

GM spokesman Brian Corbett wouldn't go on specifics about this alleged plan, but said that "we (GM) are always looking at ways to provide fuel efficiency to our customers, and energy independence to the United States," said Corbett. "Obviously, a plug-in hybrid is something that would definitely be on our radar screen, something we could consider for the future. But I'm not saying we're going to do one or the other."

He also mentioned that "a plug-in hybrid is going to require a change in consumer's daily routine. If something is going to work, you have to make it as easy as possible for the consumer to adjust to a new form of vehicle propulsion. Whether it's our Saturn Vue Green Line, or the Chevy Tahoe which comes out in '07 or the Toyota Prius or Ford Escape, drivers of current hybrids don't have to do anything different."

If the "plug-in hybrids" roll into mass production, this could be considered as GM's most massive hybrid vehicle campaign. The Detroit-based company has been offering hybrid versions of its full-size pickups such as the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra, since 2004, and it is due to release a hybrid version of the Saturn Vue crossover SUV this fall.