[B Knotts]

Gasoline-electric hybrids cannot repeal the law of thermodynamics.

They can only save fuel by shutting off the engine at idle/slow speeds, and recovering a little bit of energy on braking. At higher speeds, with less braking, by definition, they are less efficient due to their higher weight (and less-efficient gasoline engines), compared to an equivalent non-hybrid car.

This makes them ideal for delivery vehicles, or city cars.

The Car & Driver guy is woefully misinformed if he thinks there will be no diesels in the future. The only problem is going to be expense, although the cost of urea injection is still less than the hybrid gear.

The negative aspect of hybrids on the highway is not power, as all modern cars have more than enough power; it is efficiency, as explained above. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

I have no objection to people wanting to buy hybrids; I only object to people trying to prevent me from being able to buy diesels.

[RichardW]

"Gasoline-electric hybrids cannot repeal the law of thermodynamics.

They can only save fuel by shutting off the engine at idle/slow speeds, and recovering a little bit of energy on braking. At higher speeds, with less braking, by definition, they are less efficient due to their higher weight (and less-efficient gasoline engines), compared to an equivalent non-hybrid car.

This makes them ideal for delivery vehicles, or city cars.

The Car & Driver guy is woefully misinformed if he thinks there will be no diesels in the future. The only problem is going to be expense, although the cost of urea injection is still less than the hybrid gear.

The negative aspect of hybrids on the highway is not power, as all modern cars have more than enough power; it is efficiency, as explained above. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

I have no objection to people wanting to buy hybrids; I only object to people trying to prevent me from being able to buy diesels."

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I agree with you. It costs energy to move a vehicle but it also requires energy to run a gasoline engine while stopped at a stoplight or caught in a traffic jam.

I'm recovering energy when braking.

And I'm moving from 21 mpg (maybe) to about 35 mpg. And I'm not giving up anything in the process except a higher price. But that's no difference than someone who buys a new Lexus or Mercedes. It is something that they want to do. I wanted my Escape and it is a darned sight cheaper than either of those vehicles at $26,800. I can handle that and I am just a typical country boy. No tree hugger here.

BTW, I've driven diesel trucks before (not a car) and a more miserable experience I have seldom had. And I'm serious that I don't believe that diesels will pass the new emission standards. That's something you need to take up with your congress critter. I can't help you there. And you can argue with Car and Driver too. I didn't write the article. I just read it. It arrived at my mailbox yesterday.

My Escape does just fine on the highway. No problem there. The weight differential is insignificant. The battery is added but it gives up the weight of the V6 for the weight of the four cylinder and the amount of room in the engine compartment is amazing. I could literally stand in it if I wanted to. With my previous Escape and its V6, I couldn't put my little finger in there.

I do wish it had two more cup holders, however. My 2005 F-150 has six; the Escape only four.