Re: PHEV plug-in hybrids

I've heard much debate on the "true" effiecientcy of the hybrid vehicles vs. the next gen diesel cars. While a hybrid essentially stops at a red light, thus have zeor emmissions, over all it seems that the notion of efficientcy combined with the option to offset petrolium based fuel wiht BioDiesel, it's creates an interesting argument as to which is perferred. As I'm sure many of you know in Europe almost all of the cars on the road are Diesel. They run forever (litterally) and get VERY good fuel efficientcy.

Last week I was riding with a friend that has a Mercedes CDI which runs on a BioDiesel blent - the car has been "tuned" to the point that it is faster than most of the other cars on the road includeing its gasoline brother and we were cruzing on the highway at over 80 MPH averaging just under 40 MPG with 4 adults and plent of room. Don't get me wrong - I love the Hybrid but I wonder if the Hybid would have performed as well on the highway at that speed with load this car was holding - also - it was buring clean - BioDiesel so the fuel was domestically harvested and at about the same price as the petroleum based diesel -

I've also heard that the stick (vs automatic drive) diesels simply do get better fuel mileage than the hybrid. Now- as you right above - if the next gen Prium is going to get 90 MPG - REALLY not just based on what is advertised, then the debate will likely be over.

Just thougth I'd share my thoughts on the subject as it's not alway clear.

BTW - I think your info on the differnces of the Honda vs Toyota is very good - I recall someone asking this questions in one of the discussion earlier- you may want to provide some of the info above in response to that person as I'm not sure the reponses they got were as compelete as you provide above.

Keep it Green!!!

Billy -