Hi Trinity,

Subsidizing hybrid tech will only play into the hands of companies and consumers that game the system (think of the chevy trucks), and will not be used to improve FE, because that is not a strong broad-based consumer interest. Oversized vehicles would continue to proliferate, abetted by the 20 - 25 mpg that hybrid tech allows, that is the "ok" level for people seeking these kinds of vehicles.

Overall fuel use in the country would not decrease. In fact it would probably increase, as more people felt they had to upsize to feel safe. These ever enlarging cars is really a vicious cycle that sucks in people who otherwise wouldn't be buying them.

I have a living example at home. My wife had probably never seen a car bigger than a Honda Civic before coming to the US in 1991. Last year she started talking about an SUV, "to be safer, and high enough off the road to see past the other SUV's on the road." We compromised on the Prius.

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."