There is a problem, at least in Canada, with hybrids.
The problem is their electric and fuel propulsion systems; most local garages aren't equiped for them, not even many of the Toyota dealerships. I've been told they spend as much time in garages as they do on the road as a result of this. Not undergoing major work, mind you, just waiting for a qualified tech to become available.
Also, because they're not main-stream, they're actually selling them BELOW manufacturing cost, which is why they are hard for everyday consumers to get.
I like the *idea* of hybrid vehicles, but I don't have much hope for them. Biodiesel, ethanol, THAT I have faith in. Little to no mechanical tooling investment for the automobile manufacturers, inexaustable fuel future.
Would *I* own a Prius? No. Not very practical in my lifestyle. But... if I won one, I bet I could *trade* it for a really nice biodiesel rig!
DJ | Homepage | 12.15.04 - 8:47 am | #

I saw a nice hybrid in VT once. It was a chevy s-10 pickup converted to pure EV, and a biodiesel generator/charger was mounted in the bed. Sometimes DIY is best.
Steve Spence | Homepage | 12.15.04 - 9:06 am | #

Wasn't somebody selling some of those on e-Bay a while ago? They were, I think, not including the bio-genny, an actual limited run out in California for the parks guys or something. At the end of the battery life, though, as I understood it, they decided it was cheaper to ditch them than to fix them. Kinda like alot of Ontario's nuclear power plants .

DJ
DJ | Homepage | 12.15.04 - 9:57 am | #