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with the growing popularity of hybrid vehicles it seems like they're here to stay. but while doing research i found strong arguments both pro and con. is it worth it to invest in this technology now and have it possibly become antiquated in the near future? or do the increased costs actually balance out with the money saved through increased mpg and government sponsored rebates. you get to drive in the carpool lane regardless of the number of occupants, that's gotta be worth something.

I think it's worth investing into.  I seriously doubt it will be entirely antiquated.  Car designs will likely transition.  Hybrid is a way to start into the direction of electrical cars (hydreogen fuel cell powered, or other).  If you think about how gas prices will NOT be going down, but only up, as China and India start to become primary consumers of petrol, it may not be such a bad idea investment wise. 

Personally, I look forward to some of the refined designs for hybrid/electric SUVs.  Electric motors are capable of so much more torque than combustion engines.  Sure, they're low-powered in todays models, but the limitations are imposed for fuel economy on early designs.  The key is getting high-torque in lower gears (which electric is excellent for) and continued power in higher gears (where combustion benefits).

I was hestitant to get my 2004 Jeep, both because of the rising gas prices (and future rises) and that Ford is already coming out with a hybrid SUV.  I decided to go with it, eat the cost of gas for the next 5-6 years, and when I'm ready for a new vehicle, they ought to have some pretty good hybrid SUV models.

Anyway... antiquated... some things, sure... but I'm sure engineers will look to design transition.  I mean... you can consider cars without power windows a bit antiquated, right? 

-Alex
 

Hybrids are easily the right answer for the immediate future, the reason being that gasoline is all we know how to do well, and hybrids save that.  No owner has to do anything differently or use his brain any harder throughout ownership -- something necessary for mainstream acceptance.

The fact that gas will be around for a few more decades makes the technology worth the research if you're talking cost vs. benefit, especially considering how fast the progress has come.  (It's only been 8 years and hybrids are almost in what you might call the mature stage.)  At the very least, it'll buy us a few more years before the tap runs out so that we can prepare ourselves for the age of hydrogen or whatever scientific element is supposed to sustain our transport needs until the Earth crashes into the sun.
 

Take it from someone who commutes 120 miles a day - hybrid technology can save you tons of money. Just imagine the cost savings. actually here

Over 3 years you could save $14,000 just in gasoline if you sold your SUV and bought a Hybrid - but I dont drive one.. So dont know what that means.

I still doubt the savings though, sure the EPA says they all get incredible mileage but the EPA is full of bureaucrats who lie to push their agenda. Road tests indicate MPG ratings much lower than 59 miles per gallon so the above chart is a bit skewed. I believe real road testing has yielded results around the 40-45 mpg area, which is still very good, but not as cost saving as most are lead to believe. Hybrids also cost a bit more than their regular counterparts so it would seem that you have to spend 4k to save 3k. I'm sure you could save in the long run over a 5-10 year period but eventually that battery is gonna die and you'll need to replace it at the cost of another few thousand dollars. Another hidden cost which no one talks about is just simple repair. I know engines but I don't know electric motors and only a handful of mechanics know them as well. I can only imagine repair on a hybrid machine would be a bad experience waiting to happen, one taxing your time and pocketbook. Long story short, hybrids save the environment, not your bank balance. I'd put my money on hydrogen powered fuel cells, seems to make the most sense in terms of conservation.
 

I don't get all the hydrogen hype.  I thought the irritating dilemma was that hydrogen is all around us, yet it takes even more energy to extract energy from it than the output it gives off.  At least, that's what some guys were saying a few years ago.
 

Sounds like they had hydrogen fuel cell technology and cold fusion mixed up.
 

In case anyone cares, the next new hybrid coming out is the Lexus RX400h, bringing joy to all of us on tax day, April 15th.

After that, it's the RX's basis, the Toyota Highlander.  Also the Mercury Mariner, which is just a clone of the Ford Escape Hybrid that's already out.  Anyone know of any other definite yeses for model year 2006?

The Altima and Camry are on deck for 2007, but so are a ton of others.
 

The RX400h is gonna be 48 grand -- about 11 grand more than an RX330. RIP!
 

The first "2007" hybrid:

2007 Lexus GS 450h

Talk about your delusional numbers.  A hybrid powertrain does NOT add a full liter's worth of power to an engine.  And if it's mileage is like a "2.0-liter V6," it should get about 30 MPG instead of 20.  Let's hold them to that.  And whatever happened to truth in naming (or numbering)?  Should be GS350h!
 

Depends on how large the electric motor is that's teamed with the engine. Need I mention the Eclipse concept E? An electric motor delivering 200hp in tandem to it's 240hp regular engine.  

I'm not sure I understand why so many of the recent hybrids released/announced are versions of cars that are already expensive, let alone the 10-15K that gets tacked on for the hybridizing.  If people can already afford a GS400 or an RX330, can't they afford gas?
 

People pay for the Lexus badge to announce that they're more successful than you. Now they can add a hybrid badge to also remind you of their higher moral caliber.
 

Maybe they are just too lazy to stop for gas as often as it conflits with their luxrious lifestyle.  I like to glowstick and you know it!