Oil climbs again as supply of hybrid cars builds

Numerous times, this site has discussed the problems with oil and the oil economy, while advocating for change, particularly in the way of hybrid cars.

Regularly, articles appear in the press claiming that current oil problems aren't nearly as bad as they were in the '70s. Supply outweighs demand, they tell us, and all this will just blow over.

Maybe, but how long will it be until the next oil episode takes place?

Ultimately, higher oil prices won't affect just your driving habits, but the warmth of your house. "The tightness of the crude market has transferred itself to products in the States and with winter ahead distillates are beginning to give cause for genuine concern," said independent energy consultant Geoff Pyne in a Reuters article by Barbara Lewis published today.

Additionally, David Robinson, deputy research director at the International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday that tight oil supplies could leave the global economy very vulnerable for many years to come, adding, "I do worry about the medium-term outlook, about the sustained vulnerability to oil prices looking forward."

Hybrid cars? Who cares Detroit continues to say.

While Ford is releasing the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV this year, it is based on licensed technology from Toyota's Prius Hybrid Car. Overall, American companies are just not part of the hybrid scene.

If everyone in America drove hybrid cars, our dependency on oil could be reduced by roughly 30 percent - enough to end foreign-oil dependency.

Of course this is an over-simplification of the issues.

Still, there is no reason to believe that oil and oil problems, such as the Iraq Wars, are going to somehow stabilize. On the contrary, things will probably get worse before they get better, and without new technology, things might not ever get better.

Unfortunately, corporate leadership in America is simply not going to happen anytime soon.

In terms of automotive innovation, only Japan is leading the way with hybrid cars. Already, Toyota has had to increase production on its popular Prius Hybrid 3 times in the last year, and is up to 100,000 cars per year. Aside from numerous other offerings from Japan, Honda will also be offering its Accord as an Accord Hybrid Car.

America, and the world, simply cannot wait another decade to resolve the inequities caused by the unfair distribution of oil through the use of yet-to-be-developed, clean fuel cells.

Now, as a transition to fuel cells, is the time for hybrid cars. If Detroit wants to go down pandering to its oil accomplices, then the Japanese are producing cars - hybrid cars - which are more American than anything American automakers are producing.

Hybrid cars help bring freedom and real choice.

Join the Hybrid Car Buyer's Club.