A European patent filed by Toyota was recently uncovered by L’Automobile out of France.

The small engine compartment along with Toyota’s success in the realm of hybrid vehicles leads one to assume this concept is for a new Toyota hybrid. The lack of tailpipe and gas cap could be an indication of how rough the sketch is or that it’s for a previously unheard of electric Toyota.

L’Automobile speculates that this will be a new Lexus to be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Is this the design

Being in the neighborhood we decided to check out the Vancouver Epic Expo, a sustainable living trade show with some 300+ exhibits. Sponsored by the Vancouver Sun, Epic is Western Canada’s only green consumer trade show. The trade show lasted three days and we caught it today on Day Three.

While there were several stages for experts to share ideas on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, the main focus of the trade show was obviously, the merchandise. And of that, there was plenty

While I was hoping to see more in the way of eco-gadgets, solar paneled purses was about the extent of it. There were, however, some cool eco-auto displays. Test drives were being offered a 2009 Toyota Prius.

Lexus also had several prototypes on display of upcoming Lexus hybrid models including the Lexus HS 250h (pictured above), which will hit dealer lots this fall. The HS 250h is a luxury hybrid sedan that boasts carbon neutral materials and plant-based plastics. Eighty-five percent of the Lexus HS 250h is fully recyclable. It will have 30-percent better fuel-efficiency than Lexus’ current most efficient model.