Will Hybrids Save the World?

Are hybrid vehicles the saviors of our transportation system, weaning us off foreign oil while continuing to offer us the freedom of our auto-centered lifestyles? Some say no, that the American people can't possibly replace their traditional cars with hybrids that quickly and in sufficient enough numbers.

However, others cite an unexpected interest in hybrid sales, noting that, if current trends continue, 80% of new cars sold by 2015 could be hybrids. But that's an optimistic estimate, and even if it came to pass, it might not put a dent in oil consumption.

A Booz Allen Hamilton survey shows that, even with aggressive hybrid adoption, oil consumption wouldn't likely fall until nearly 2020. Medium and low hybrid adoption would only slow the increase in the growth of oil consumption.

Source: Christian Science Monitor