I'm as big a fan of increased MPG as anyone here, I suspect, but I'm growing a little tired of some companies trying to morph hybrids from one approach into the One True Answer. Heck, as of 2005 Honda had a Civic HX model that was a non-hybrid, gasoline ICE that got 44MPG on the highway, without sacrificing performance. That compares very favorably with the real-world MPG of a Civic Hybrid or a Prius, and at a much lower purchase price.

I think it's clear that car companies selling in the US want to push hybrids because of the higher profits, and we'll only see a major push on diesels when one of the major companies that's falling behind breaks from the pack.

Sure, a diesel hybrid would be even better, but you can get a lot of additional MPG by switching from a current gasoline engine to a slightly downsized diesel, and keep the price far more reasonable.

I think we're headed for a re-shuffling of the US car market, where the high MPG entry level cars are diesels and the more expensive (and more efficient) cars are diesel hybrids, some plug-ins.

Paul is probably right but will it be Plug-in Hybrids with 100+ Km on batteries only and up to 180+ miles/gallon of fuel; extended range (400+ Km)EV's with quick charge batteries and zero fuel and zero pollution; or super efficient (100 miles/gallon) reduced pollution bio-diesels?
All three approaches are possible within the next 10-year time frame but most probably from abroard, i.e. efficient diesels from Europe, affordable Plug-ins and Evs from Asia and Europe where the price of fuel is much higher and drivers are willing to pay more for reduced fuel consumption and reduced pollution vehicles.

The hybrid or diesel choice depends mostly on where you live and work. A high percentage are in stop and go traffic jams every day where a hybrid that turns off its engine at low speeds would be much better than an idling diesel. For the few who are in rural and small towns that don't even have a traffic signal and long constant speed driving is common then diesels beat hybrids.
I see the solution to the NOx and particulate problem in diesels is a zeolite nitrogen absorbant which keeps the nitrogen out of the cylinder in the first place. Then the oxygen rich gases would completely convert all the carbon into CO2 leaving no particulates in the exhaust. since the amount of gases entering the cylinder would be nearly 80% less then displacement could be reduced by 80%for the same power with concurrent weight savings.

Too bad the Yaris that they are bringing to Canada won't have a CVT... Oh well, at least now the emissions are rated ULEV and the building process is said to be more eco-friendly.

I agree that pure oxygen may not be feasable with current materials. A nitrogen absorbant system may take up too much space or be too heavy. My point is that the only component of tailpipe pollution to be completely removed has been lead. We didn't do that by capturing the lead in some sort of tailpipe filter. We did it by not puting it in the cylinder in the first place. I really like the zinc air concept but wonder if an 18 wheeler could use it.

Toyota has made a big shif on auto market upon releasing the Hybrids. They must be the biggest company to invest on a big hit like the Toyota Prius. Other alternatives should also be taken into consideration.

Electric vehicles are more efficient these days. Other sources such as Hydrogen and Bio-fuel need further developments.

Plugin hybrids are the next big step. I'd also love to see more small hybrids similar to the Honda Insight but with 4 seats instead of 2.
Combining full hybrids with plugin capacbility and bio-fuels like ethanol and biodiesel will be another great step ahead.
GM-Saab EVen has a prototype Saab 9-5 100% ethanol plugin hybrid convertible in a car show in Europe. What a big leap that would be. Maybe the EV1 and other full EVs will be available soon.
It's about time we have some real choices.
Jim

Hybrids are grate and plug in hybrids even better especially when they are really electric vehicles with range expender gas engines. One problem I have is that going pure electric would be even better cheaper in the short and long run as the electric motor is a much simper (cheeper) device then an ICE.
Although rely efficient batteries are vary expensive right now top of the line led acid batteries are cheep and if placed in the right car care can give highway speeds and ranges from 20 to 60 miles.
To me the Toyota Yaris with it’s low weight and relative roominess would be a good candidate for a conversion to full electric I am looking into doing just that. There are lost of back yard electric vehicle makers right now and it seems that the technology is there but car companies are afraid to go down that path because they feel states like CA will go back to the 0 emitions regulations of the 90s and gas companies have an interest in keeping there market in tact and regulators at some level do not want to see gas taxes not getting paid Oy.
Well those are my that’s. I plan to take action to reduce my carbin impact save money and join then thousands of people not waiting for car companies and regulators to get over there issues and go back to building practical affordable everyday electric cars.