Who wouldn't want to make fewer trips to the gas pump?

Amid record-high oil prices, hybrid experts unveiled their new vehicles at a conference in Winnipeg today.

One model, which gets its charge from any power outlet, stood out.

Unlike hybrids that need a gas engine to charge the battery, the plug-in has a bigger battery and only requires fuel on long trips.

'Father' of hybrids

Andrew Frank, a professor from the University of California at Davis, is among the North American researchers attending the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) 2007 Showcase & Forum. He is described as the "father of the modern plug-in hybrid electric" for his 30 years in the field.

Frank believes the plug-in hybrid would work well in Manitoba, where outdoor power outlets and hydro-electric power are abundant.

"The typical person who gets up in the morning, goes to work and comes back, would use electricity alone, would use no gasoline on a daily basis," he said.

Oil price record

Arne Elias of the Centre for Sustainable Transportation at the University of Winnipeg helped organize the conference.

He said putting more plug-in hybrids on the road would make Canada more energy independent — good news on a day oil cleared a record-setting $96 US a barrel.

"When you're off fossil fuels, what does that mean? We're on a pathway away from fossil fuels, away from Middle East resource conflicts," Elias said.

The researchers agreed they'd love to see hybrids go mainstream, but note that won't happen unless assembly-line production increases and sticker prices decrease.

The conference continues at the Winnipeg Convention Centre tomorrow.