AmyFOX

That article is right. And it is not the first time I have heard that.
Honda and Toyota Hybrids are not very cost effective.
The most cost effective hybrid that I have heard of is the Ford Escape. Supposed to only take 4-5 years to recoup the exspence. Think I spelled that word wrong.

I don't see how a plug-in car does anybody any good. Sure it eliminates the emissions from one vehicle. But it does add to the load of the power grid and the power plants, which as my recollection are still coal fired around here. And if enough people plug their cars in everyday it will just add more emissions that running them as a true hybrid.

Dealers are marking them up, but you can just buy one from Toyota for $21-22k.

A plug in car does alot of good. First of all, electric motor efficiency is many times greater than internal combustion, about 8x actually. Also, electricity is much cheaper for the energy it contains. Filling an Electric battery for a 300 mile range costs about $3-5 (depends on the weight and what state) to fill. Most people would charge their electrics (or series hybrids) at night, when the power supply is 'off peak' anyways. So it doesnt mean more generators so much as simply leaving them on longer at night. And charging a car isnt really much more stress than leaving an AC on overnight... its that little... its not 'thousands of thousands of watts'. So while you are correct that it does simply displace the need for energy onto the power grid, electric is so much more efficient in comparison and in the first place that its much less of a problem. If you took 1 gallon of gas (which you wouldnt do in the first place, but use some other source that is even more efficient) and converted it to electricity, and then use that in a car, you have an equal MPG rating of over 200mpg. So its alot like saying you can fill your gas tank with 1-2 gallons of gas if electric... thats less expense and pollution all around. And, while renewable energies are next to impossible to use on a mobile system (although some hybrids plan on using solar panels in the roof to help charge), with the electric grid, you have means to generate electricity w/o fuels/coal/etc. Nuclear, wind power, solar, geothermal

, and a 10 minute recharge (new nano-safe batteries). It will have a lifetime warranty. GM quickly found out with the EV1 that upkeep costs on electric vehicles are minimal (which is why they killed the program)... pretty much just tires and check the battery cells every 25,000 miles or so. This digs into their profits that they get from upkeep of combustion engines (plugs, belts, oil, filters, etc) which electrics just dont have. Electrics lack transmissions (dont need em), and can go 1,000,000 miles without ever breaking down. They are dead cheap to make as well because they are so simple (the motors are in the wheels). The challenge has always been with the batteries, but recent advances in that are making that a non-issue. It will greatly change the auto industry as we know it as well, not to mention gas stations. My personal prediction is that all gas engines that get less than 40mpg will be up on blocks in 5 years.

I would rather have the Honda. What I want to know is when these hybrids and electric cars need repair on these so called money saving parts. How much does that put you back in a hole? I will stick to a reg car.

Getting a small diesel is your best option. A friend of mine has a diesel VW Jetta and he get 55mpg.
Diesel is more expensive at the pump but the engines last a lot longer and millage is better than a hybrid.

you an also make diesel (bio-diesel ) if you have about 6 hours a month to make 60 gallons for about 70 cents a gallon.

Do your homework on the Ford Escape before buying one. I have heard some horror stories about mechanical problems with these vehicles, and VERY POOR response from Ford in trying to correct the problems.