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The paper presents a technical case for 'ultralight hybrid vehicles' (UHVs), asserting that fuel efficiency can be improved 3–4x over conventional cars without compromising marketability. It emphasizes that reducing tractive loads—through mass reduction, aerodynamic optimization, and low-rolling-resistance tires—is the most critical factor in making hybrid drivesystems cost-effective. Using the SIMPLEV model, the author demonstrates a design with a curb mass of 585 kg and a drag coefficient of 0.19 that achieves high fuel economy (up to 115 mpg on highways) and low emissions, while meeting strict performance criteria for acceleration and gradability.