[Lyndsey]

For those who don't drive hybrids or smart cars, I'm wondering why you've chosen not to. Is it mostly a question of price or of concern over durability, etc.

[horselover]

I think the biggest issue for most people is the initial cost of the vehicles. They're just still too expensive for most people.

Even more so now with the economic issues we're facing, it's harder to imagine how we could afford something like this.

I would love to buy a hybrid truck for work.

However, I was watching something on t.v yesterday about a teenager who converted his truck into an electric vehicle.

http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/31/si...k-to-electric/

This shows that a person with the means can own an electric vehicle without spending an arm and a leg on the technology.

[Lyndsey]

That's a great clip you included - even better that it was a teenager who dared make the difference.

[BethT]

initial cost.

and I think people are frightened by things that arent the norm.

people still might have a stigma against full electric, wondering about losing charge and such.... I think once we have a system to back the cars, like that of our gas station situation, it will help people convert.

[justontime]

I could not afford to buy one, and as far as I am aware they are not easily available in my country. Insurance costs would be higher (according to my insurance company). If I did any modifications to my car (as the clip suggests) my insurance costs would go through the roof. I have a large family to fit into my car so I buy the best I can in my price range.

[savinggreen]

For me the hybrid doesn't have adequate storage space because of the space the battery takes up.

I drive a VW, but I now really wish that I had bought the diesel version - they're about 40-50% more efficient than gasoline vehicles, and now that the new low-sulfur diesel regulations are in place in North America, the worries that you used to get with higher particulate matter and sulfur levels are a thing of the past.

I spoke with some people at the California Air Resources Board and they said they will be focusing their passenger vehicle initiatives toward encouraging diesel. It'll be interesting to see how quick the uptake is.

Diesel vehicles also provide the option to fuel up on biodiesel blends where available.

[justontime]

It seems clear from these answers that it is just too difficult for ordinary people to understand what the best choices are and there really are not any viable green options available.

[angel82]

Where I live there is no biodiesel available, I wish it was. Buying a new car is also not an option available for a lot of people.

There are quite a few different things available now to purchase that allow you to make your vehicle more less hard on fuel.

Do they work? I haven't tried them, so I can't say.

So I am going to stick to trying to conserve my fuel usage as much as possible.

Here is what i try to do. It very much just common sense, but sometimes we need to be reminded of those things to make us more aware of them.

[Raptor235]

I think it's the price overall people will choose the better car for the environment as long as they don't have to cough up too much for it in the short run... especially in this economy.

[justontime]

Originally Posted by Raptor235

I think it's the price overall people will choose the better car for the environment as long as they don't have to cough up too much for it in the short run... especially in this economy.

I wish you were right, but I think environmental issues are low on the list when people buy a car. They are interested in price, running costs, size of vehicle, performance, extras and then prehaps they may think about the environment after that.