This is the way to go.

Plug in hybrids.

Hybrids, as everyone should know, are vehicles that are powered by exclusively or mainly by electric motors, but that have gasoline engines that run a generator to charge the batteries that run the electric engine. They are more efficient than cars powered exclusively by internal combustion engines because when the engine runs to power the generator, it can do so at its most efficient RPM (whereas regular cars must run their engines over a wide range of speeds), and when the car slows, it can run the motors "in reverse", converting the kinetic energy of the car back into electricity which then goes back into the batteries. When traffic is stop and go, these cars don't idle during the stop; they don't run at all (unless one is using AC or listening to the CD player). For CIVIC sized cars, 45-55 MPG is routinely obtained.

Shade-tree mechanics and other tinkerers are now taking these cars and adding a feature that allows them to plug into the wall socket at night and recharge their batteries. Thus, in addition to getting more efficiency from their gasoline, they also get much cheaper energy from the socket in their garage. For commuters who drive 30 - 50 miles per day, this provides the possibility of being able to do most or all of one's driving using energy from power outlets. Because the car can run using the gasoline engine to charge the batteries, one is never stranded -- at least not until one runs out of gas.

I think this is the short, intermediate, and possibly long term answer to the issue of transportation in this country.