Toyota: Hybrid demand up in Katrina's wake

Japan's top automaker benefits as consumers seek more mileage out of $3-gallon gasoline.

The story "Toyota: Hybrid demand up in Katrina's wake" published September 22, 2005 at 2:35 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[eeee]

how much for new batteries ! ! !

The whole hybid thing is temporary. New technology will replace this idea.
How much will replacment batteries cost? That is not easy to determine. After paying "thousands more" for a hybrid car, the original owner might break even in fuel savings IF the replacment battery cost is not "thousands more". And to do that the car has to be kept for a decade or more. Who really does that?
There are dozens of 4 cylinder cars, as well as V6 cars, that get good mileage and dont have that future battery headache.
Are there any answers to the battery issue? Anyone know??
Toyota's self serving comments in this article answer none of that. I can imagine the NY area Toyota dealers scaring customers re the gasoline prices to sell hybirds at list price and over !
EG in Westchester County, NY thanks

[searcher625]

why only gas/electric hybrids?

The only type of hybrid veh., I seem to hear about are gas/electric. what about biodeisel/electric or just biodeisel? Vegetable oil is 100% renewable, North Americans wouldn't be subjected to gouging by oil company monopolies along with the added benefit of water as a byproduct.