We did a double-take, as well.  We couldn’t believe it at first, neither, but it’s true–if you live in Colorado.  This could very well qualify as the single biggest incentive, ever. The 2010 Tesla Roadster is arguably the ultimate electric vehicle, a virtual paradox, combining sports-car performance (0-60 in 3.9 sec) with zero emissions.  And now, you can save a whopping 38% off its MSRP.

To learn more about the huge discount, check out the story at Left Lane News. To see other fuel-efficient vehicles that qualify for huge tax credits, check out the Alternative Fuel Income Tax Credits PDF here.

The Chevy Corvette’s formula is simple, pure and inherently American. You take a sleek and stylish coupe body, put it on a rear-wheel drive platform, add a V8 and presto!: you have an American icon.

However, that all might change though by 2016 according to Automotive News, as emission and efficiency standards reach new heights. Tom Stephens, GM’s Vice Chairman of global product development, announced that the company might consider a hybrid power train in future Corvette models if all other attempts to meet the new government-mandated CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards prove unsuccessful. This would be a huge change for Corvette fans, being that the current ‘Vette is a tire-scorching, 430-horsepower behemoth. Not to mention the non-base models which are super cars in their own right, the Corvette Z06 and ZR1, with 505 and 638 horsepower respectively.

But companies like Tesla and Fisker are proving that hybrid and all-electric sports cars are both marketable and incredibly fun to drive.   By incorporating technologies like cylinder deactivation systems, direct injection and variable valve timing, the Corvette’s current V8 can be made more efficient.

Combine these with other fuel-saving features like light weight construction, electric power steering and low rolling resistance tires, and it is possible that the next-gen Corvette would be efficient enough for the car’s classic formula to remain unaltered. Whether a V8 or hybrid drive train is used, GM is insistent that the next chapter in the Corvette story will be just as thrilling as those that came before it.

Getting a multimillion-dollar government loan would likely show a strong vote of confidence in your company’s efforts. That’s exactly what up-and-coming automaker Fisker Automotive got this past week when they received $528.7 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). While that may sound like a poor allocation of tax dollars in this economic climate, the federal government believes it is money well spent.

When it comes to making an investment in the future of alternative transportation, Fisker is a good bet to place money on. As a developer of plug-in hybrid technology, Fisker has designed a sport sedan that’s as green as just about any other hybrid on the road, but at least twice as fun to drive.  Did we mention it’s stunning silhouette?

The 2009 Fisker Karma is only the first of Fisker’s proposed lineup of plug-in hybrids, which also includes a low-cost entry level model as well as a Chevy Volt competitor. This isn’t the first time that DOE has handed out loans for the development of next-gen cars, however. Earlier this year, Tesla Motors, builders of the Tesla Roadster and upcoming Model S, received $465 million. But the recipients of the most government cash are names you’re probably already familiar with. Nissan got $1.6 billion while Ford got a jaw-dropping $5.9 billion. While it may take some time before we see if the research resulting from these loans have paid off, the future of hybrid cars is certainly well-funded.

You’d think that the title of “World’s Greenest Automaker” would go to a company like Toyota or Honda, but when it comes to being efficient and using renewable resources, BMW is apparently way ahead of the pack.

According to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, the German manufacturer is the leader in practicing sustainability by using more eco-friendly materials and properly recycling their cars. This is why they were named the “most sustainable automobile company worldwide” by the respected environmental authority for the fifth year in a row.

It’s not terribly surprising though when you look at the company’s push to introduce clean diesel cars to the U.S. and their newest effort called “BMW Efficient Dynamics,” which places priority on a car’s low-carbon footprint as well as the heightening of the driving experience.

2009 BMW 335d

A great example of this ideology is the 2009 BMW 335d, which emits 20% less carbon-dioxide emissions than a comparable gasoline-powered car and goes from 0-60 mph in just six seconds. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.

While dedicated hybrid models like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight—as well as upcoming plug-in hybrids like the 2011 Chevy Volt—are currently in vogue, Nissan is revisiting all-electric vehicle technology with the Leaf EV, which they say gets a unfathomable 367 mpg.  367.

You may or may not remember the less-than-stellar efforts put forth by GM when they introduced their EV1 way back in 1996, but electric vehicle technology has come a long way since then. Batteries are now more efficient and more compact, while charging technology has also taken a huge leap forward with quicker charge times.

All of these advancements have made electric cars a more viable alternative to those powered by internal combustion engines. Nissan plans to start selling the Leaf in five major metropolitan U.S. markets as early as next year. Experts estimate that the Leaf will retail for anywhere from $25,000-33,000, which would compare favorably to the Volt, Prius and Insight considering you would have no fuel expenses with an electric car. The Leaf’s range is estimated to be just over 100 miles between charges.

Although you probably won’t be taking any cross-country trips in this car, the Leaf is perfectly capable of handling the average commute. And while you may have heard GM’s unofficial statement of the Chevy Volt’s 230-mpg fuel economy, by using their math, Nissan’s engineers came up with a truly staggering figure of 367 mpg for the Nissan Leaf. Whether or not the EPA will recognize these numbers, however, is an entirely different story.

For more click to the dedicated Nissan Leaf website.