When Hybrids Do (And Don't) Make Sense

Stolen Comment from hybrid discussion on slashdot.org about the value and sanity of purchasing hybrid cars.
<quote>
Hybrid Price Premium == Guilt Tax

The price people pay for hybrids represents something of a guilt tax paid by the affluent. While they'll probably never recoup the price of the hybrid in gasoline savings, they will, in fact, be reducing their usage of the stuff, which is not a bad thing.

Prices will need to be no higher, preferably lower, than current car prices if hybrids or any other similar alternative technologies are to have a lasting environmental impact. Only the economically privileged can afford to spend more to use less energy.
</quote>

My additional thoughts: They are nothing but a political statement by the "haves". They are making a dumb political statement. With current hybrid technology, the fact is that they are being tied to gasoline burning engines. They are in essence are throwing an economic extension cord to the oil companies, it will just lengthen the time until we see real alternative fuel vehicles.

In Virginia hybrid cars are eligible to a couple of things. The first is the "Special Clean Fuel" license plate --- which obviously is a lie --- the fuel is Gasoline - it just uses less than the same car that isn't hybrid. Is any car that meets the 'hybrid gas mileage' to be considered to have "special clean fuel'?

The second, which does tick me off is habits have (had?) an HOV exception that allowed them to be driven on carpool lanes, without the required number of passengers. Shouldn't any car that has 'hybrid gas mileage' be allowed the same exception?

I drive a 1992 Geo Metro, I average 44 real miles per gallon. Using the http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ fuel comparison site my car matches or beats the Civic Hybrid. Note that the Geo Metro was pretty much the cheapest car on the market in 1992. Why does it take such an expensive car to beat the technology of 1992?




I also wonder why we haven't seen Diesel Hybrids.... Diesel engines already are more efficient than the gas engines - why aren't they coupling them with electric drives?