Let's not forget the large tax write off for the first 2-3 years of the vehicle as well here. I think it's up around $2,000 a year for the first 2-3 years of ownership! That's fairly impressive in and of itself.

The reason American cars are teh suk when it comes to hybrid tech is that the Japanese only sell us their second and third generation hybrid technology.. and we're too far behind in research at the moment to produce anything better than second or third generation hand-me-downs. Sad. But, that's what happens (when bodies start slappin) when you're consistently graduating a third as many math and science majors compared to the rest of the technologically advanced world.

The truth is, we're a global economy today. So, I always laugh at the "buy American!" retards that drive around in their GM vehicles with foreign engines, transmissions, drivelines, and just about everything else. My Saturn Vue uses a Saab powerplant, a Subaru transmission/driveline for the full time AWD.. and many of the other major critical components. Ignorant American. That seems redundant anymore.

Aaron, small ironic point of order: The world's largest supply of oil *IS* actually in Canada, funny enough. The world's second largest supply of oil resides in the good ole U S of A in the greater Colorado area, mainly. The problem is that both reserves (which monumentally dwarf the Middle East reserves) are made up of sluff tar-sands and bitumen reserves that are only cost-viable above $3 a gallon-ish to harvest and refine.

Also-also: As has been brought up for consideration, what happens when EVERYONE is driving electric/hybrid vehicles? I love trying to figure out what the un-considered consequences of "solutions" are. I always think back to some quotes/articles I read that hailed the coming of the horseless carriage the solution to polution in urban areas (horse pollution). Funny, in retrospect. There is always unintended, unforseen consequence. Having tens of millions of gnarly poisonous-toxic hybrid batteries would certainly be one issue.. but then, I got to thinking.. wouldn't the effect of a hundred million electric cars (or more) on every highway in every city be similar to high-tension power lines on every street of every neighborhood?

Anyway.

I digress.