I would like to solicit ideas on how I and we can better promote understanding of how modern hybrid vehicles work to the general public.

The days of people asking "where is the plug?" should be over, a full 6 years after the first sales of the Insight.

It's just ludicrous and ridiculous that people do not understand that concept.

It's hurting hybrid sales, and thus hurting development, and thus keeping hyrbid prices higher, and thus harming the environment.

We as hybrid proponents and owners should band together and try to get the word out to the masses, SOMEHOW.

Any ideas on how we could approach this on a national level?

I can see it now - "No New Vehicle Buyer Left Behind". We can have everyone buying a new vehicle take a test to make sure they understand Hybrid technology, before they buy something else.
Really, I think we have to let the Motor Companies do the advertising. The Fact that the Ford Escape Hybrid was named Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show, should help.
I plan on putting lightning bolt decals and "Warning 330 Volts" on mine just to start conversations. 1/2 ELEC would be a good license tag.

Duane

I see how my previous rant was ripe for funnin me !! (silly guy wants to start a "save the Hybrids" movement !!)

But I am serious about trying to help. I don't have a real hobby, so I do have some time to spearhead something like this.

I know this website helps. I know the NATOY award to the FEH helps. I know the new Accord commercials are helping, and the new Highlander and RX400h coming later this year will help too.

I just wanted some ideas on what we "ground pounders" might could do to help.

The best thing you can do is when you have people's attention that you speak logically and clearly about the subject. Don't become too emotional. Talk technology, talk fuel savings, talk dollars & cents, talk comfort and convenience. I'm biased toward the Prius because it is a different car in terms of appearance and feature set, and frankly of the hybrids it is the strongest as far as technology implementation, but beyond that hybrids have luxury car features which most other vehicles in the price point of hybrids do not have; mostly out of necessity. This needs to be a strong point made clear to the uninitiated. It doesn't matter to me (or to those we talk to) how or why the Prius and Civic and other hybrids have auto climate, for example, in a car the size and price of a Civic or Prius, what matters is that it is there and not there in other vehicles in the same class.

Too many hybrid drivers are way too involved with the environmental issues surrounding the car. Environmental talk and strong environmental messages aren't going to educate or sell this design to the mainstream masses. In fact, some of the environmental messages I've heard and read are turning people off to the cars through association with some drivers (mostly associated with highly radical messages). Design, engineering and ownership costs are the selling points; limit the conversation to that. Only go into environmental talk if the party you are talking to is receptive, and then don’t let it get out of control.

Hybrid drivers that really understand the technological underpinnings of these vehicles need to be out there talking about them. I am already working with a friend to get some face time with his chapter of Kiwanis and another local club he is a member of. If you can get face time with people in friendly forums, such as I have mentioned above, that might go a long way to dispel some rumors and clarify questions of inquiring minds. These people are bound to go out there and end up in conversations with others about these cars and they need to be informed and have some knowledge about how they work, not perfect knowledge, but some knowledge so they are intelligent about the concept.

I'm trying to recall the website, but a Prius enthusiast has made up a number of handouts and PowerPoint presentations regarding the Prius which I believe he has used in various situations where he has either had to present about the car or give people correct information about it. If I recall the web site I will post the link.

It has been said:
Hybrid drivers come in 3 flavors, greenie, techie and cheapie. Pick any 2.
2005 Prius, Melinium Silver over gray, package 5 (AI)

ground pounders eh?

right.

I'm not sure if you really want ground pounders. Just folks who are enthusiasts and are good communicators. Hybrids are complex, the gift of those who can communicate about them is their ability to simplify the concept.

It has been said:
Hybrid drivers come in 3 flavors, greenie, techie and cheapie. Pick any 2.
2005 Prius, Melinium Silver over gray, package 5 (AI)

While I completely agree, there is not much you can do to help someone until they want help. I have the same trouble understanding drunks and compulsive gamblers as you do with John Q and hybrids. When gas is $5.00 a gallon everybody will undersand what a hybrid is.