Could the U.S. be hybrid by 2012?

[Bo]

I was wondering why its not discussed? Would it not save 30% on oil?

[still_one]

1. because the Japenese own this market

Even the hybrid components, engine and drivetran on the Ford Escape hybrid are from Toyota. We have already lost on the technological front...

[aquart]

2. Because we wouldn't fund the research?

BushCo has cost us billions in patents, hasn't it?

[Strelnikov_]

3. We Could Be Hybrid In 4 Years With Leadership And Sacrifice

Transportation demand makes up 60-70% of petroleum usage, most of it going out the tailpipes of inefficient 'living rooms on 4 wheels'.

With just a portion of the money spent on the Iraq fiasco, we could mandate a CAFE standard of 50 mpg to be attained in 2 years, and compensate the American auto manufacturers for rapid retooling of domestic auto plants to the production of high-efficiency vehicles.

Yes, it would be a massive undertaking, along the lines of the transformation of American industry at the beginning of World War II. But in the long run, the investment would pay off many times over.

The solution of the administration is to simply invade the Middle-east, (try to) steal the oil, and make us all petro-serfs to the oil barons.

[baldguy]

4. Sure. We just need the thoughtful application socialism.

"OH GOD NO!!!! NOT SOLCIALISM!!!"

Heavy taxes on petroleum & petroleum products.
Heavy incentives for hybrids & alternative fuels.

Government investment and tax cuts for industry to help in the change over. Tax credits for individuals to purchase new vehicles or convert old ones.

[natrat]

5. i finally drove a Prius

it is no sports car in the handling department but acceleration is fine. On the highway it seemed to surge a little but cruise control would have solved that if i could have found it. Driving around San Francisco in it was a blast- it squirted around corners like a silent gocart. When the 400 hp variants come out in a few years i think that may mark the beginning of the end of traditional automobiles. The new "got to have" and "cool" rides will be hybrid electric.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

6. Are you kidding? With all the "oil men" in charge? Try Hummer by 2012.

Cause Arnie will be in charge of the Republican Party - and they'll probably still be in charge of things. Until the media stops aiding and abetting the Repubs, that ain't going to happen.

[terrya]

7. We could be if the Oil Industry wasn't writing our energy policy.

This is the biggest impediment to a full scale campaign to go hybrid in a few years.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

8. You must think we live in a country where people give a crap.

It's money above all else here: above the environment, above children, above the elderly, above people's health, above people. Anything and anybody is expendable when it comes to making a buck. Sorry for being so cynical - but that's they way it is.

And the media - who should be raising concerns and perhaps educating people on this would rather talk about Laci Peterson, Michael Jackson and the Swift Boat Veterans.

[EDT]

9. My friend's Honda Civic already gets close to 50mpg-

Honda had a super gas efficient model Civic out for a few years in the 90's, forget the letter designation. He's got over 200,000 miles on it.

If someone remembers which model this was, please chime in.

No screwing with the relatively new battery technology (the batteries in the newest Hybrids even now will only last 10 years, then need replacement, a multi 1000 dollar endeavor)

I've got a Toyota Corolla, that gets 39 mpg highway, no battery banks needed.

The problem is peoples love of giant SUV's. Whenever I see gas prices go up, half of me looks at SUV's and thinks "Enjoy!"

[Deja Q]

10. If the vehicle costs $30k... let the oil quadruple in price.

then a buyer has to calculate overall monetary savings.

Which, in a 10 year lifespan, don't begin to equate.

It's not just that people look at the value of things NOW (and that's what accountants do), it's that our society cares more about money than itself.

What's left to say? We deserve our fate if the underlying structure does not change. And those in power don't want it to change because life for those who benefit from the current system will lose, even though there are hundreds of millions more of us than there are of them.

[realFedUp]

11. It seems there's more emphasis on the hydrogen fuel cell

at least at Nissan...and building the big
behemoths that get the tax rebate....

[natrat]

12. i read an

article about potential electric sportscars. It appears as though the four little electric motors at each wheel have the potential to put out really big horsepower. Yes i know that fat nasty irresponsible old white men controll our energy policy but given a chance hybrid technology could make mainstream gearheads drool over electric cars rather than Corvettes. All it would take is to let the cat out of the bag a bit more. In the bay area there is a long waiting list for the Prius so when the suv variant comes out it will ,hopefully, get the snowball rolling and every yuppy housewife will want the cool new soccer mom mobile. I dunno it could happen