MAUMEE -- It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. But it could be the future of transportation, and the future of the area economy. 

An electric, three wheeled car called the ZAP Alias. A prototype for the body was made in Maumee. And it will be shipped off to California where engineers will work on a motor for the sleek ride.

"We're seeing some real challenges and jobs disappearing so, it's exciting to be part of a potential new development in the automotive industry," says Craig Winn of Applied Technologies, the company that made the prototype, "The potential to maybe bring back some jobs back to Toledo as we bring these vehicles to the manufacturing stage."

At a Toledo gas station with prices pushing $4.00 per gallon, motorists say, they'd like to pick up one of these cars, and put down the fuel nozzle for good.

"Oh yeah," Salomey MkBuko of Toledo says, "If I'm not paying for the gas, yes I would if I have the money to afford it."

Engineers say, the Alias should cost about $33,000, and could be for sale as early as next year. The company says, the car could go up to 100 miles on a single charge, and have a top speed of 100 mph.