I think both Honda and Toyota have stated an intention to offer a hybrid option on all their vehicles....hope the pace quickens...

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

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"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated

ELEMENT! ELEMENT! ELEMENT!

I swear every couple of weeks a noob on the EOC posts something like "When's the Element Hybrid coming out!?!?!"

The challenge they face in hybridizing trucks is that when pulling a heavy load at a fairly constant speed the hybrid system does you no good. I am sure that they will figure out something.

What Should Honda Hybridize Next?


Everything!

I pulled this out of an old thread I read today (link originally posted by ericbecky)

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshow...3/page010.html

If they would build it, I would buy. I think the interior would take some getting used to, but definately one of a kind. The more I look at the the more it appeals to me. I love the exterior. I could leave the HCH at home unless I needed passengers or to carry stuff around. I drive a lot by myself anyway and the most I put in the car is groceries, unless I am going to travel. If it was the same cost as the Insight or less, sign me up on a waiting list.

I def. agree with you, but something would be better then nothing, except GM's sad approach at doing it with the Silverado. So many people drive/ use pickup trucks on a daily basis. Just think how much fuel could be saved with just half of the US. pickup fleet (pickup in existance) being some sort of hybrid system. 12 MPG VS. 35 MPG is still a big deal. I know this is very far fetched and will probably never happen but its sometinhg to think about.

It coudl still be done though, it just means that the engine coudln't be downsized the same way as the sedan hybrids. However, a variable cylinder system could save fuel when not towing, the majority of the time for most vehicles, but at least the power is there when needed. The system could also still use electric assist for bursts of acceleration. Perhaps a hybrid truck could have a battery system designed to work more in "bursts," accelerating using full-out electric assist from stops using a pack of ultracapacitors rather than using a more gradual assist to supplement a low-torque ICE. This would allow the trucks a quick bit of passing power without needing to downshift as often.

I think Honda would definately be smart to try to add a Odyssey hybrid but it's unlikely that they will, I'm willing to bet the next hybrid will be the CRV. I would love an Ody but the FE is what's holding me back. I by no means need a minivan but it's definately the most comfortable vehicle that I have sat in lately. I love my lude but I need something that is more functional and comfortable on long rides, not to mention something that can seat more than 2 comfortably as my son will soon outgrow the back seat. I want a hybrid but I want to start my own lawn business on the side so I will probably be going with the Element. It may not have stellar FE but it'll get me away from having to use premium fuel and I just really like it. It's an aquired taste kind of vehicle but you can't beat it's functionality for it's size. But, I'm not quite there yet, gotta pay off the Lude first then you'll probably see my post asking what the heck to buy next..lol.

I wouldn't be as hard on minivans as SUV's, they are better on FE and people don't buy them to look "cool" or keep up with the Jones. My goal is functionality, flexability and just keeping my rear end happy after 7 hours of driving. Not to mention how nice it'll be to sit at a stoplight where some punk with a civic won't feel inclined to rev his engine expecting me to want to race. I'm too old for that noise. My hotrodding days are over, now I just want to save money, be comfy and go on road trips.

Market research agrees - minivan drivers in general are more community oriented, concerned about others and less interested in impressing others.

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

Best Run >
www.cleanmpg.com

"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated

And of course there's the other deciding factor, cost. Also part of my decision making process and I'm afraid that hybridizing the Ody would put it above my price range.