here's my experience of the benefit of a hybrid.. when i ran out of gas on an interstate.... similar to being able to drive the car without the key....
http://www.plusaf.com/coast/coast2.htm#outofgas
notice that "normal cars", when they are run out of gas, inevitably are left blocking traffic lanes. [though i don't understand why many drivers don't figure out that, on many roads, they might be able to BACK the car OFF THE ROAD and get it out of traffic...

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