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Toyota Prius and Honda Hybrid: Will anyone buy Hybrids?? - READ ONLY

257 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2001 at 2:42 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 27 of 27

#254 of 257 What about Europe? by agtabby

May 21, 2001 (10:26 pm)

To me the true test is Europe. Gas has cost 5 bucks a gallon there for some time, so if hybrids can make it anywhere, it is here. And the fact is that hydrids have not done that well there.
 
Europe wisely applies an even-handed approach: by making gas expensive they don't favor any given technology. Thus diesels and small gas powered cars have done very well.
 
Sadly in the US we often want the pain-free solution, and our government often chooses technological winners and losers. Consider the Arizona "alternative fuel" bill that cost hundreds of millions and ended up subsidizing SUV's (!), consider the idiotic CARB mandate that forces automakers to sell golf carts, consider that Bush recently proposed tax credits for hybrids.
 
If diesels are too dirty, fine. But let automakers pass emission laws with any technology they choose.

#255 of 257 agtabby... by autonuts

May 22, 2001 (9:02 pm)

I don't necessarily agree that Europe's approach is all that wise. If you just stay complacent and not try new technologies, then how would new ideas develop? Besides, fossil fuel has a limited supply as we know, and why not venture on with other technologies to discover a way to be more environmentally friendly and less dependent upon foreign countries? IMHO, I'd say be a leader in discovering a new energy source and not wait for our natural resources to become extinct.

#256 of 257 by ineto6

May 23, 2001 (12:00 pm)

Well, considering the fact that Europe doesn't have problems with smog like we do. Also, we could say that Europeans are "used" to high gas prices. Yes, diesel-powered cars are doing well in Europe, but they have better performance that your current hybrids.
 
We can only make changes in steps, not leaps. So get the current crops of vehicles to have better gas mileage while introducing hybrids that can rival average sedans in performance and value. We have several sources of renewable energy so we just have to research ways to make them more efficiently.

#257 of 257 This discussion has been moved ... by dana

May 23, 2001 (2:42 pm)

to our Sedans Message Board on the Toyota Prius:

/direct/view/.ee9e6d1

Thanks for being patient as we do a bit of "housekeeping" in News & Views and Happy Posting!

Dana S. Livingston
Manager, Town Hall
Edmunds.com

Messages Page 27 of 27

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