I understand this from an aesthetics standpoint, but I'd feel a little odd removing badges from an already pretty well "stealthed" hybrid like the HCH or Ford Escape Hybrid. First Responders use those badges, among other telltale signs (unique vehicle features, eg. the center roofmounted antenna on the HCH or the rear side window vent on the driver's side of a Ford Escape Hybrid), to determine if a vehicle they're about to work on is a hybrid. I'd hate for my aesthetics to put a First Responder in extra jeopardy, though it's unlikely they'd not notice pretty quickly. They probably can spot things about vehicles faster than most of us common folk can, and react accordingly.

Just a thought, though.

- Shannon (Geeky, Wild Texan)