Hybrids Ain't-a Sellin'

The Detroit News reports: Gas prices up, but drivers not switching to hybrids.

The sad truth is that the vast majority of car drivers talk about swapping gas-guzzling machines for fuel-sipping hybrids, which combine an internal gas combustion engine with one or more electric motors that work together or independently to power a vehicle in a more fuel-efficient manner.

Yet, very few actually purchase a hybrid. Pickup trucks and SUVs still outsell passenger cars in the U.S.

R. L. Polk & Co. recently reported that hybrid vehicle registrations for 2006 comprised only slightly more that 1.5 percent of all new vehicle registrations in the United States.

Anyone out there considering a hybrid? We'd consider a hybrid when it comes time to buy a new car, but we're pretty sure we're still in the minority. Why are folks not interested in hybrids? Is it purely because of price?

Comments

[dragdreams]

I love Hybrid because hybrid car is a good investment as they have an excellent resale value.

[Classic Auto Trader]

Hydrogen seems to be the fuel source of the future, and it looks like Iceland's renewable energy policy is on the right track.

It sounds like the rest of the world needs to take a page out of Iceland's renewable energy book and do its part in making this world a greener place to live.

Hybrids are at least greener for the environment.

[Tj]

I've looked at hybrids, because I believe its our obligation to save energy not just $...but while safety is great we've created part of our own mess in the US. Ever tried to fit 2 car seats and 2 adults in the small europeon style vehicle? I also have a farm but like europeans I keep an older model p-up just for driving to the feed store. Cracks me up seeing the Hemi truck being driven to work when they only need it to move the boat 2x a year.

[Tj]

I've looked at hybrids, because I believe its our obligation to save energy not just $...but while safety is great we've created part of our own mess in the US. Ever tried to fit 2 car seats and 2 adults in the small europeon style vehicle? I also have a farm but like europeans I keep an older model p-up just for driving to the feed store. Cracks me up seeing the Hemi truck being driven to work when they only need it to move the boat 2x a year.

[M1EK]

Boy, this one sure dragged out the trolls. We have the battery life myth AND the low-power myth, all in the same thread. Bravo.

The reason more people aren't buying them is that the variable price savings (due to gas prices) are still too low to make it compelling to spend the extra money if you believe gas prices aren't going up more in the future.