Adventures in Hybrids

Here's an interesting rumor: The next Toyota Prius will get over ninety miles to the gallon. Ninety miles. That's a rumor worth having. And given that the cost of gas at my local pump is $2.65 a gallon, this next tidbit isn't entirely surprising, either:

A Gallup poll released today shows that nearly half of all Americans have cut back "significantly" on their driving due to high gas prices--and in a surprise, 57% say they will consider buying a hybrid car when replacing their current vehicle.

About half of Americans report economizing in general in order to compensate for the increase in gas prices over the past year.

Those favoring hybrids show little gender or regional differences, but "hybrids appeal much more to younger and middle-aged Americans than to seniors," Gallup reports. Upper-income Americans are slightly more likely than lower-income Americans (62% vs. 55%) to say they would seriously consider buying a hybrid when purchasing their next car.

I've been saying for a couple of years now that my next car would be a hybrid, so it's nice to see the rest of my country has got my back here. It's not such great news for American car-makers, of course, since they're rather a bit behind on the whole hybrid thing; unless I'm mistaken, only Ford has got a hybrid out there, and it's an SUV.

I'm torn in my pledge, because as I think many of you know, I've got an unseemly crush going on with the new Mustang, which is not exactly what you'd call a fuel sipper. But as I've also said before, if Ford got off its Detroit duff and made a Mustang hybrid, I'd slap down my money right now.

I want to buy American. But come on. If the next generation of Toyota hybrid is really going to get better mileage on one gallon of gas than a Mustang gets in five, that's a consideration that's going to be hard to ignore.

Written by johnmscalzi Blog about this entry

This entry has 7 comments: (Add your own)

#7 Comment from csandhollow
4/14/06 4:56 PM | Permalink

We havr gone to the motorcycle. 50 miles to the gallon. Hubby drives 300 miles a week back and forth to work.
#6 Comment from csandhollow
4/14/06 4:56 PM | Permalink

We havr gone to the motorcycle. 50 miles to the gallon. Hubby drives 300 miles a week back and forth to work.
#5 Comment from lurkynat
4/14/06 1:23 AM | Permalink

(((((prius)))))
natalie
#4 Comment from aurielalata
4/11/06 5:18 PM | Permalink

I'm hot for the Dodge Charger...unfortunately, I doubt very seriously that Dodge will ever hybridize that car!

I looked at the Prius in the early days of hybrids and swore I'd have one. Unfortunately, it was well out of my price range in those days, and I needed space because I have kiddos. I ended up with a Nissan Quest. I drove that for a few years, and then last year, when I had another opportunity to purchase a car, I blew it again and purchased a Dodge Caravan. I guess the hybrid will have to wait till the kids are out on their own and I'm a old, single gal going for my doctorate.

Jess
http://journals.aol.com/aurielalata/CIWTheOtherInvisible
http://awomanvisible.blogspot.com
#3 Comment from mombzbe
4/11/06 1:46 PM | Permalink

My husband and I have an unseemly crush on the new Mustang too.

It's a matter of time.
Sure, it's not practical at all, we don't all fit in it (there's 6 in our family), but it would, technically, be the "work" car....

I'm getting weaker by the second.
Anna

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Adventures in Hybrids