We’ve got hybrid cars, trucks, and buses, could construction equipment be next? It would seem so according to some corporate press releases. Here’s one from Kobelco and one from Volvo. Hybrids could very well make sense in the construction equipment sector, where efficiencies gains can help reduce fuel consumption and lower global warming emissions. It turns out CO2 is not the only pollutant from construction equipment we should be worried about.

According to a report from the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shibun, ToMoCo is looking to bring a new hybrid-only model for the ‘merican market. According to the newsmag’s sources, it’s expected be a midsize sedan with a 2.5- to 3-liter engine, larger than the 1.5-liter the Prius currently uses to putz around. The plan, apparently, is to add this new model to the already-on-the-market hybrid lineup alongside its pipsqueak brother.