[LjasonL]

Originally Posted by curtis73

Hybrids do a wonderful job of taking potential energy in the form of fuel, turning it into kinetic energy in the engine, converting it again to electric, and then putting it BACK into kinetic. They actually waste more energy than a comparable small gasoline vehicle.

As far as actual emissions go, they are a bit below a good compact gas car, but as far as driving one, they waste fossil fuels compared to a typical small diesel like a VW TDI.

And while we're at it, this is just plain untrue. Breaking it down:
"Hybrids do a wonderful job of taking potential energy in the form of fuel, turning it into kinetic energy in the engine"
- yes, they do this part exactly the same as regular gas cars
"converting it again to electric, and then putting it BACK into kinetic"
And this is the part I don't think you understand. They convert it back to electricity via a generator engaged when braking. A conventional car wastes energy when braking by converting it to heat. A hybrid recaptures this energy, and uses it to drive the axle again when ready to go. This is energy that would be completely wasted in a non-hybrid.
I mean, gosh, gasoline is the only energy input into a conventional car and a non-plug in hybrid. If the hybrid goes further on a gallon of gas than a conventional car, isn't it obvious the hybrid is using the gas more efficiently?
A conventional car uses gas to get moving, then hits its brakes and turns all it's kinetic energy into heat and dissipates it into the air. Then it uses more gas to get moving again.
A hybrid uses gas to get moving, then hits its brakes and turns all its kinetic energy into electrical charge in the battery. Then it uses that charge to get moving again.
I just don't understand how you can possibly draw the conclusion that hybrids waste more energy?

they waste fossil fuels compared to a typical small diesel

Again dude, it's really extremely simple. A conventional engine will always waste more fuel than a hybrid version of the same engine. Period.