The Ewart brothers in Chicago claim to have adapted a Prius to get 100 mpg.

That’s double what you get from the most fuel-efficient production car (powered at least partly gas or a variant fuel) sold in the United States, according to fueleconomy.gov. The Toyota Prius, at No. 1, gets 48 city, 45 highway

Next up is the ultra tiny smartfortwo (shown at right, actual size) which tops out at 33/41 and holds two French people and a bag of peanuts.

You’d think we’d come a lot farther, what with all the hybrid hoopla of late.

The Ewart’s figure if two guys can hit 100 mpg — they stuck some batteries in the trunk — car companies should be able to, too. (See the video story on this low-flying Orville and Wilbur duo.)

Okay, so record gas prices have awoken the feds: Fuel efficiency standards will rise more quickly than had been planned, we learned this week, but the fed plan is still convoluted, less than what’s technically feasible (Ewart Motor Company?), and rollout is phased and delayed. Meantime, an LA Times article says reasonably priced, mass-produced electric cars really are coming. Of course, we won’t be able to rely too heavily on nuclear power plants for their electricity because uranium is running out.

For the record, the least efficient vehicle: Lamborghini Murcielago, regardless of whether you can’t afford the regular one or the Roadster version: 8/13.