HughJass—people who already own the old, stinky Mercedes in Ca. can keep them, but you can bet Mercedes would never be allowed to sell those same cars now.

I think we should all keep in mind that it was the “brains” in our government who started us down this road to lower emmissions way back in ‘68. And I’m really glad they did; I lived in L.A. in ‘68, and I have distinct memories of how horrible the pollution was back then. If it hadn’t been for our politicians way back then, do you think any of the manufacturers would have voluntarily reduced emmissions? I sincerely doubt it. Maybe, just maybe, they do do something useful.

Granted automotive companies can do some stupid things, but it would seem pretty illogical, if they are trying to promote hybrid technology, to leave the owners of hybrid vehicles with astronomical bills as the batteries wear out/need replacement/recycling/or disposal.

Anyone have any inside information?

I’ve given up waiting for Ford or GM.

I suspect what’ll determine the future of hybrids is what happens when the battery pack finally needs replacing. If it’s a $500-$800 job at 100,000 miles or something, like a timing belt, then I think people will tolerate that expense. But if it’s a $4000 job, then that will severly, and adversely, effect a hybrid car’s resale value the closer it gets to needing that new battery pack, and people will really shy away from a car that they know is going to have horrible resale value.

Also—there’s an article in the new Automobile Magazine about their experience with a Prius. They’ve had it now for about a year, and their overall mileage is 41.7 over about 22,000 miles. That’s certainly impressive if you’re used to a truck or something, but it’s not that much better than many other small cars with “conventional” powertrains. I get 35MPG on the highway in my ‘03 Passat.

1) What are they like to drive? – Right now, for the most part, they’re not to exciting to drive unless you get a performance oriented car. They’re a normal car with more torque but more weight. Cars like the GS450h and LS600h have nice acceleration but it drives soft like a Lexus. Cars like the LF-1 and the planned FT-HS will change the way people look at hybrid cars.

2) There’s an awful lot of talk about hybrids these days; are they here to stay, or is this just a case of everybody jumping on the “green bandwagon”? – Electric hybrids are here to stay no matter what people think. The future may be powered by diesel, fuel cell, hydrogen, water or whatever, but it will definitely be a combination with hybrid technology.

3) How much better IS the gas mileage, really? – Even though the Prius is lower than EPA 2007 tests, it still gets very good gas mileage. The 2008 EPA estimates are FAR more accurate. Hybrid gas mileage will greatly improve with the advent of safe lithium battery use and serial configurations.

If you want recognition for being green, keep doing your diesel thing and make an alternative fuel car.

1) what are they like to drive? Are they something you’d look forward to driving, or do they feel like you’re sacrificing something in order to get better fuel economy?
2) there’s an awful lot of talk about hybrids these days; are they here to stay, or is this just a case of everybody jumping on the “green bandwagon”, just to appear to be responsible auto makers to the buying public?
3) how much better IS the gas mileage, really? If those numbers for the Mercedes are accurate, that would be impressive indeed. But I suspect the reality will be much less impressive—just as the Prius has turned out to be.