Hybrids expensive? Not if oil keeps rising

Oil nears $65.00 per barrel

Yes, oil might go down eventually, but the world conditions that have created the run-up in oil are not simply going to disappear.

More important, an act of terrorism could dramatically change everything and make $65.00 seem like the good times.

Yet, gas-guzzling goes on almost without question and the government absolutely refuses to address fuel efficiency, even though it has strong national security implications.

While I think conservation is a good idea, I also think that technology offers the solution.

Yes, fuel cell vehicles might some day be a reality, but the technology behind hybrid cars offers an answer today. If everyone drove a Toyota Prius hybrid, foreign oil dependency would be drastically reduced, perhaps even ended.

Still, this isn't realistic.

That is why vehicles, such as the Ford Escape hybrid and the Toyota Highlander hybrid are so important. Smaller, fuel efficient SUVs are a possibility, and if an SUV, why not a truck or minivan?

Already such vehicles can offer good improvements in fuel efficiency and air quality, but a few software upgrades and battery improvements could make the next generation of hybrid SUVs as fuel efficient as today's Prius.

Isn't that worth the investment?