There was an interesting article in our local paper about a man who converted an old VW Diesel pickup to battery power.  He hasn't bought gas for over a year and has a 25 mile range before recharging.  Not too far, but guess it would let you run local errands.  He got the batteries from an old golf cart and put them in under the pickup bed.  If anyone is interested in reading the article, I think I have a scanned copy of the article.  Don't think it cost him too much because of using very old vehicles or ones he had on hand.

  Sharon Mendonca
  88 Westy
  88 Vanagon GL