It looks like Koreans will soon be able to drive hybrid-engined cars.

The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, a state-run think tank, said on Wednesday it expects to start mass production of hybrid cars in 2011.

The think tank added that if full-scale production begins, domestic carmakers could produce 500,000 units by 2015 and 1.8 million by 2020.

The hybrid cars will be designed to run on electricity and gasoline while consuming much less gasoline than conventional vehicles.