More considering buying hybrid vehicles

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=88c2854b56e79ecb

In an effort to reduce fuel costs, the number U.S. consumers considering buying a hybrid vehicle has doubled in the last year.

Automotive consumer researchers Maritz Automotive Research Group found those strongly considering a hybrid for their next vehicle jumped from 17 percent to 29 percent from 2004 to 2005.

The survey of 1,009 U.S. adults, found 97 percent of those considering a hybrid wanted to reduce fuel costs, 78 percent wanted to reduce pollution that causes greenhouse gases, 75 percent wanted to reduce Americans' dependence on foreign oil, 55 percent wanted to receive tax credits and 27 percent wanted better engine performance.

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The revolution has started... Americans are going hybrid and more gas effecient...this should have happen 7 years ago...

And lead to even more people wanting to buy them. I'd like a hybrid SUV so I could haul some larger things for my side business, but alas, the only one on the market I'm interested in is the Highlander which comes in at over 30,000. Chevy is supposed to be putting one out at 20,000, but I don't know how good the mpg will be on it.

TlalocW

The Escape Hybrid is a little smaller than the Highlander,
a little cheaper, and gets better mileage.

I've got one and I'm quite happy with it.

This along with alge based biodiesel could help alot in the battle
to reduce the dependance on Dino fuels.

Four years ago I looked at them and really, really wanted one but my husband, who works for one of the big three made me feel guilt so I didn't get one. But even he wouldn't be too surprised if I got one next time I'm in the market for a car.

We could really use the larger car for our business, but can't pay the fuel costs of a standard SUV or minivan.

The Ford, while not the most fuel efficient hybrid on the market, does reduce costs enough for us to be able to at least consider it.

(Right now, we are using a ford focus station wagon - it gets about 25 in town and maybe 29 or 30 highway in our experience. I'm not sure the SUV is supposed to get much more than that, but we could really use the room.)

PHEV is the future. Lithium batteries and 30 mile electric only range (plug in overnight). Toyota's move into Fuji heavy industries indicates they are pursuing this. Also much better regen braking is coming thanks to Lithium technology and supercaps, etc.. maybe 2-3 years and 100+ mpg PHEV's will be a reality for the mass market