Hydrogen hype: Why hybrid vehicles are more important than ever

When GM and DaimlerChrysler inked their deal to partner on creating new hybrid vehicle powertrains, it was noted that such a move was just a temporary step towards hydrogen.

While this is true, it is ironic that the same automakers which claim hydrogen is the future, took so long to take such an important step towards the future.

Or is it?

Last February a government-sponsored study published by the National Research Council entitled The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and R&D Needs came to a scary conclusion, the chances of a hydrogen economy actually happening anytime in the near future is extremely slim, saying there are "major hurdles on the path to achieving the vision of the hydrogen economy."

Even the most ardent hydrogen supporters envision hydrogen, minimally, several decades away. Those supporters; however, note that right now, interim technologies are the key to developing that future, and the most important of these technologies is hybrid vehicles.

Therefore, waiting for the hydrogen solution to solve all the Earth's pollution problems would be a huge mistake, possibly taking another 50 years or more to even begin. Over the last 50 years, the effects of automobile pollution have had a significant effect on the planet. Waiting another 50 years, as China and India purchase billions of new cars, could be catastrophic.

Accept nothing less than hybrid fuel efficiency. Purchase a Toyota Prius, Honda Accord hybrid, or Ford Escape hybrid!