The scary thign about this is that a substantial number of people would pay that price.
I know exactly the kind of people they are, too. They're the ones who are going to run out tomorrow and get $5,000 on a trade-in for their 2004 SUV with 15,000 miles on it . . . and then turn around and pay $45,000 for a new hybrid.
Just so they can save about $1,500 per year on fuel costs.
I know its simple math. For instance I was looking at 2005 Honda Accord vs. 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid. There was about 10,000 dollar difference in price. Just think about it how much would it cost a person to fill a regular Honda accord vs a Honda Accord Hybrid a week. I think its around $8 difference. Now you times that by 52 weeks a year, and that gives you a little over $400 a year savings.
So the question should be do I spend 10K on a Hybrid to save $400 a year? Of course not... Hybrids are still in their infant stages. 10 years from now they maybe more reasonable, but for now no way...