It’s Good to be Green

Environmentally conscious hybrids will take center stage in the Motor City, partly because they spew less into the environment, but mostly because they get better gas mileage than their gas-powered counterparts.

And two hybrid heavyweights, the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, will square off for the fuel-mileage championship. The 5-passenger Insight is one of four new hybrids that Honda plans to offer by 2012. It will start under $20,000, or about $2,500 less than the Prius. By far the nation’s best-selling hybrid, the Prius is now entering its third generation. The redesign is expected to top the current model’s mileage, with a more robust hybrid system and nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Chrysler, Toyota and Mercedes are also expected to show concepts for electric vehicles, or EVs, at the show. And Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, is expected to unveil an all-new hybrid sedan.