New Article - Hybrid for the Masses or Just a Step Backwards?

[Dezoris]

http://www.automotivearticles.com/123/article_262.shtml
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Hope to get more people involved this season.

[Pluggerin1]

Yes I agree, the new Insight isn't headed in the right direction as far as I'm concerned. I'd hoped that the balance in power systems would have favoured electric instead of just an ICE assist. And allow for plug-in charging. Pity. As most people live in cities or towns the real future lies in EV's. In my own case I'm on a rural property and my wife does a 50km/31mi each way commute 5/7-too far for affordable batteries at the moment. So a hybrid makes some sense. Future cars need to be part of the total low carbon economy just for climate/environmental reasons. My fear is that with the recent sudden drop in world oil price now, the new Insight might not be so appealing-even with a low price tag.

[Dezoris]

EV development should be way ahead of where it is now. Obviously your point in regards to oil prices raise the big question, will the return to cheap gasoline re-ignite demand for large vehicles in the USA?

My bet is yes. I don't think people learn long term lessons at least not in this climate.

But the oil cartels may help in keeping oil prices high based on current comments of curbing production so we shall see.