Oil Consumption is Rising, Imports are Skyrocketing, and Our Vehicles Are to Blame

Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrids, which combine a smaller gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor, can get double the mileage of conventional cars. Hybrids burn little fuel when they are slowing or idling, they recharge their batteries while you drive, and some even capture energy created during braking and use it later.

And because the gasoline engine is much smaller and operates at a steadier pace, it produces far less global warming pollution than conventional combustion engines.

Who's making them?

• The Toyota Prius has been available in the United States since 2000. The 2004 model is rated by the EPA at 60 miles per gallon in city driving, 51 on the highway.

  (The Prius gets better mileage off the highway, because in city driving it relies more on the battery.)

• In 2002, Honda introduced a hybrid version of the Civic. The EPA rates the 2004 manual transmission version at 51 mpg on the highway and 46 in the city, with the continuously variable transmission model rated at 48 highway and 47 city.

• Ford became the first U.S. manufacturer to offer a hybrid when it rolled out the Escape SUV in August 2004. The front-wheel drive version is rated 36 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway.

• Automakers are planning to introduce additional hybrids in the U.S. market, with Japanese manufacturers remaining in the lead.

  Toyota and Honda plan to release hybrid Lexus and Highlander SUVs in 2005, and Honda, Nissan and Toyota have all announced plans to produce hybrid versions of their mid-size sedans, the Accord, Altima and Camry.

• Hyundai plans to sell hybrid vehicles to government fleets in late 2004, and GM has announced plans to produce "mild" hybrids in 2005 and 2006 and full hybrid SUVs in 2007.

  ("Mild" hybrids rely less on their battery packs than full hybrids do.)

So what's the problem?

Toyota's and Honda's hybrid sales are booming, and the Ford Escape has generated tremendous interest and rave reviews. Although American automakers are beginning to respond to increasing consumer interest in fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles, hybrids still account for less than 1 percent of the new car market.

American automakers have to put hybrids into mass production, too, and we need to spark demand for them. Consumers who buy hybrids are eligible for a tax deduction, $2,000 in 2004. That's a good incentive, but it is scheduled to phase out during the next two years.

Lawmakers can do better and should provide performance-based tax credits instead of deductions, which will mean higher savings for consumers who buy the most efficient hybrids.

For detailed consumer and technical information about hybrids, see the Union of Concerned Scientists' Hybridcenter.org website.