How outside of the mainstream are we ? That is a very interesting question.

I'd have to say very, based on a couple of observations:

1. Half the population buys trucks or SUV's for personal transport; another fraction of the population would, if their finances allowed.

2. The greater majority of hybrid owners are familiar with their car's EPA pollution ratings, and how they compare to other cars on the road. The vast majority of non-hybrid owners don't know such a thing exists, and couldn't care less.

3. Perhaps most telling -- even in hybrid owning families, it is very common to hear that only one person in the family is interested in FE or pollution. The SO tolerates the behavior so long as it does not intrude on travel time, convenience, or AC. That, despite a full-time propaganda machine blowing in their ear ! My wife is actually very tolerant of my attitudes, and no doubt would be called a 'liberal' by mainstream america. But put her behind the wheel, and she first fiddles with the AC to put it on full blast. No matter I many times I tell her that she will cool off *quicker* by opening the windows first for a couple of minutes, she continues her old habits. Even getting her to put up the sunscreen is a hit or miss proposition -- in New Mexico, where the sun really shines.

Adults are conservative people, and many of them are reactionary. Add to that a lifetime of learning to push a button for comfort, as well as vested commercial interests that encourage us to keep buying the same old thing -- and there you are.

R2-E2, 2G Prius.
Highway/City/Husband/Wife MPG: 56.5, as of 12/2005, 26K miles

Jac Nasser, Ford President: "We are planning to launch a hybrid version of
this car [P2000] within this year [1998]. We will also make FCEV available in
2004."