Reply To: The recent "discovery" of Dark Matter

[Rematog]

Lol, yes, if problems are overcome, a tech is more attractive.

Your post refers to hybrids with significant battery only range and grid recharging. I concede that a vehicle with those charateristics would reduce automotive emissions. But to my knowledge, the current crop of hybrids do not have either of those charateristics.

Also, why not use a high efficiency diesel in a hybrid? It would then be also capable of using bio-diesel fuels.

But, I still contend that the cost of the current hybrids puts them out of the range of much of the market. Yes, having an all electric drive with in wheel motors has advantages, but is cost one of those advantages?

If a hybrid had enough batteries to have reasonable all electric range, say 60 miles, it would have a battery of considerable size, and hence, cost.

I know I being redundant, but cost is a very important factor if these vehicles are to make a real change in oil consumption. I personally would rather buy a $20K all electric Corolla and a $20K turbo-diesel Corolla getting 50 mpg, rather than a single, $40K hybrid. But even then, I have to be convinced that the life cycle cost of the all electric had at least cost parity, including battery replacement, over the turbo-diesel, before I’d buy one.