Ecofest, the largest environmental event on the east coast, celebrated its 18th anniversary on September 3, in New York City. The show provides an optimistic forecast of the future for alternative-fuel vehicles that will ease our dependency on fossil fuels.

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This year's Ecofest featured a wide variety of these vehicles. University of Toronto students showed off the Faust II, a single-seat solar racecar capable of reaching a top speed of 75 mph. The MIT Vehicle Design Summit displayed its human/solar hybrid: Dubbed "Fishy," this three-wheeled vehicle is driver-powered via bicycle pedals, with some electric assistance.

Similarly, Bicy-taxis were shown: They're a short-range alternative to the traditional taxicab that are also powered by humans and electrical assistance. Bicy-taxis have became popular in Manhattan: Currently 52 Bicy-taxis are operating in the city, with plans to expand the fleet to 100 in 2007. And the founders of Beaver Energy, Chip Beam and Larry Shilling, showed off a SUV converted to run off wood chips.

Toyota had the biggest display of the day, showing off the Prius, Camry Hybrid, and Highlander Hybrid, and the Lexus RX 400h and GS 450h. Myers brought its all-electric NmG. And last but not least, the U.S. Postal Service showed two "clean-air" delivery trucks, one running on compressed natural gas and one a full electric vehicle.