World oil prices are at a record high and automakers are just rushing to develop cars that would make gas mileage an irrelevant factor. Enter hybrids and electric vehicles. While Toyota rules the hybrid market with the Prius and every other automaker scrambling to inject their own models into the mix, I guess the smart move is to race to create a market for electric- and other alternatively-powered vehicles. And in Japan, Subaru is trying to make its mark. The Japanese market might be seeing one of these - the Subaru Stella mini MPV.

The Subaru Stella MPV will use the same technology already used in the Subaru’s small electric car, the R1e concept. It uses lithium-ion batteries to power an electric motor which can get the car up to 50 miles on a a topped-up charge.

The Stella, being an MPV, is designed to cater to those looking for a more practical vehicle as the R1e is smaller. Subaru will be showcasing this to the G8 Summit joining other automakers in presenting them to world leaders. No word yet on whether these vehicles will reach production, but developments in creating mass-consumable EV is always good news.