Thanks for the post nitram, that's pretty interesting. I didn't know shipping (via the seas) was so efficient.

As for large trucks and the ability to hybridize them... that seems strange to me that it wouldn't be possible. Maybe I'm being naive but couldn't the Hybrid Synergy Drive just be scaled up? Toyota's specifically stated that they can easily envision scaling it upwards, it's downwards that would be difficult. Is the problem simply "Toyota needs to build it for it to be any good?"

On the topic of buses, there are crap dual-mode (never at the same time) buses in Boston that need a tech to come over and switch modes manually in the middle of every trip. The buses are on the Silver Line, it takes you to the Airport. If ever there was a use for hybrid technology... . Those buses run on overhead electric half the way then diesel the other half. A scaled up HSD could run seamlessly across both halves and maybe even get amazing mileage for the diesel half. It's too bad. My memory's faint on this one but it may have actually been GM that built those crappy buses in Boston.

Prius 2006, bought September 14: