Quote:
Originally Posted by Masospaghetti
While hybrids hold some future, how many hybrids would there have to be to make a dent in our oil usage? How many extra batteries would that require? How many batteries is that going to produce when they have to be replaced? And, maybe most importantly, how much of a drain is that going to be on the economy? Even with $4 gas, a Prius won't make back its additional cost in fuel over a Corolla. This tells me that the amount of extra equipment necessary to yield that fuel economy increase is not economically sound.
I'm not saying hybrids will never make sense. But the current generation don't.
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C'mon you need to get into this century. One of the reasons that EVERY vehicle maker now is bringing out at least one if not two or 5 hybrids is that the 'fear of replacement' demon has been killed with a stake through its heart.
The NiMH batteries may never need replacement....certainly not in the 150,000 mile usage range, maybe beyond 250,000 miles.
In case you weren't aware, in the CARB states the hybrid systems have to carry a 10 yr or 150,000 mi warranty. More and more states are joining the CARB wagon train. We wouldn't be seeing GM, Ford and Chrysler all jumping into the hybrid game because they feel that the batteries are going to 'wear out' with use. The 11 years of market experience now shows that these may be the most reliable part of the hybrids.