Thank you, AZCivic. That is what I meant.

Diesels are now required to meet LEV II passenger car minimum requirements, which current models are not even close to, even using the low sulfur gas sold in Europe and CA. A new *ultra* low sulfur diesel is mandated for Europe in 2005, and 2008 in CA. Some think this derivative will allow filters and catalysts to be added that will allow the diesel engine to reach the bottom bar of LEV II. So, the optimistic viewpoint is that diesels *may* reach the *minimum* emmision requirement in 2008.

If Diesels were able to beat hybrids to a pulp in MPG, I could understand the argument that one strength offset the other weakness, but this is not the case. Hybrids are stronger than diesel in both of these metrics: 10 -20% more mpg, and an embarrassing for diesels up to 1000% less emissions.

So from my pov, hybrids are an easy choice over diesel. Heck, I can find conventional ICE vehicles I consider superior over diesel. Small Hondas and Toyotas come to mind. Small diesel cars can compete if mpg is given marked priority over emissions, but the US does not have them.

Lest you think I consider Prius to be the end all of cars, I'll readilly admit it is a compromise for me. I want a *small* hybrid, around the size of a Scion Xa. Ultra-SULEV (I made that up), 80 - 100 mpg, 12 - 15K cost. Hybrid tech is too expensive yet for this kind of car to be offered, and IMO the reason diesels and mini-compact conventional petrol cars still have a commercial life. I am hopeful that if the hybrid powertrain can drop below 1K additional cost, the small hybrid will become a reality. If it does, nothing available today will be able to compete.