should we ban the production of non-hybrid vehicles?

Answer 1

No. Regenerative braking (which is what gives hybrids their fuel economy advantage) is a step in the right direction, but by itself it won't solve our energy problems. Electric cars and hydrogen fuel-cell cars (hope hope) could potentially be a much bigger help. Hybrid cars are more expensive, and will be for a while, so if hybrids were the only option people might decide to hang on to their older, less fuel efficient cars for longer than they otherwise would.

Also, a hybrid car isn't necessarily more fuel efficient than a non-hybrid car. Lexus makes some gigantic hybrid SUVs and sedans that don't even get 30mpg. The Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Yaris are tiny little non-hybrid cars that get around 40 mpg each.

It would be nice, but we're not there yet. Hopefully soon.

Answer 2

No. The price of hybrids is going down and the car companies are making more and more cars into hybrids (even SUVs and trucks). The price of gas will eventually rise while the hybrid car price drops to the point that is not cost efficient to drive a non-hybrid car. Most people will be buying hybrids by then and then the car manufacturers will phase out the non-hybrid car for most models.
In the end there will still be older cars driving around and there will be new performance cars that aren't hybrids (like Porsches) but the number of these will be negligible.
If the government was to make a law requiring car manufacturers to make all hybrid vehicles right now, it would have a large unintentional effect. Most people would be unable or unwilling to buy a new vehicle that cost several thousands of dollars more. In turn they would keep driving an older car that guzzled more gas than a new car. Even with some people driving new hybrids, the net impact would be more fuel being consumed and more exhaust going into the atmosphere.
There is also the argument that this kind of law is considered paternalistic. While not necessarily unconstitutional, it is unacceptable based on our American standard of freedom.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

While the government (Senators and Congressmen) would find it hard to support such an all out effort such as this since they have to look at where they get their campaign donations, they can be pressured by folks like you and me - write your congressman - to raise the CAFE limits and provide tax incentives for hybrids. They did once and can do it again. As the Big 3 see market share dwindle, they will bring hybrids on the market. Some are already trying to partner with Toyota, the leader in this field. Next hybrid to come out will have lithium batteries and go further and use even less gas.

Answer 5

I think a good goal would be to get off the fossil fuel train as soon as possible. Personally I think solar electric cars supplemented by production electricity would solve quite a few problems.

Most people drive an average of 29 miles a day. The EV1 battery which was not the best of batteries could hold up to 60 miles a charge. At the time other battery manufactures claimed they had batteries that could hold up to 300 miles per charge.

If this is so it does not take a brain surgeon to figure out that if you put solar panels (which they make thin and flexible) on the unused surface of the car (i.e. hood and roof) you could in most chases charge your battery enough to never have to plug it in unless going on a long car trip.

But then again I believe there are those out there that don't like the idea of free energy. It kind of cuts into their profits. Think about it.

Answer 6

When are you hybrid pushers going to wake up to the fact that HYBRID VEHICLES ARE NOT A GOOD THING?

Fact: A hybrid uses as much fuel as a non hybrid - they just do it over a longer period of time.

Not a fact, but the truth: Hybrids are complicated. Compliccated = UNRELIABLE.

Fact: there are many other fuels that are extremely clean that we can burn in our engines instead of gasoline or petroleum "diesel" fuel. TOO MANY to list.

The production of hybrid batteries causes more pollution than my old Benz EVER did on biodiesel.

Wake up and smell the veggie fuel.

Oh yeah, 1999 called, they want their way of thinking back.

Answer 7

No, it is still an unproven technology. Wait until 2015 and see if their are any of the first gen priuses still around. Properly maintained any car should last 12-15 years without major repairs. We have yet to see if the hybrids will hold up to the test of time.

If they do, then it would be a good idea to incorporate some of their features in all cars, but not every car. Their are safety concerns with the batteries in accidents and power to weight issues with work vehicles.

Answer 8

I prefer small deisels and gas that get over 40 MPG. They are cheaper, less hazardous to the environment, and get better mileage on the open road. Hybrids are great in the city where you are stopping a lot and using the braking / charging systems.

Hybrids are just a way for people to keep larger cars. They need to be large to hold all the batteries and equipment.

Answer 9

NO!!!

Hybrids are a stop-gap until we can design pure electric vehicles that are acceptable to the public. They still burn fossil fuels.
Much better to convert gasoline cars to ethanol from switchgrass. Far more environmentally responsible. Same for biodiesel. And until electrics run off of CLEAN municipal generators, renewable fuels actually make more sense than electrics.

Answer 10

No, only because there are still non hybrid cars that get the same or better gas mileage as a hybrid.