> Around town you'll get the benefits of regenerative braking, but
> I'd be surprised if that alone bought you more than 2-3mpg or so in
> around-town driving.

I did wonder whether this would be a more efficient way of charging the
battery than using an alternator, hence eliminating that drag on the
engine.  That's got to help right there :o)

The hybrids also have juiced up starter systems, allowing them to shut
down the motor whenever you stop for more than a few seconds - I shudder
to think how much fuel we waste sitting at red lights.

At the end of the day, if the government really wanted to help fuel
economy, they'd do away with all the 4 way stop signs.  Accelerating, then
braking, a 5000lb vehicle continuously to get from A to B is incredibly
inefficient.  I drive my Vanagon to the gym a couple of times a week, and
I make that 5x 4 way stop signs (and 2 sets of traffic lights) each way
for a 3 mile drive (if I weren't carpooling, I'd cycle).

toodle pip,
--
       Dug Smith         | Terry Pratchett: It's almost
(mailto:dug@dugbert.com) |  impossible to ride a rock and roll
(http://www.dugbert.com) |  motorbike and stay on for three verses.