Should the Government Give us new hybrid cars?

[Pemolis]

I pose a bizarre question to everybody.

Should the US Government initiate a program where 80 to 90% of all cars could be exchanged for a new Hybrid Model Car?

I will leave this as a open ended question.


Discuss.

[gwilks98]

Before they do anything, I think they should figure out how to make a car last longer than 8-10 years. (And the ability to get parts for it.) Then I'll talk about switching over to hybrid.

Edit: so I guess my answer is "no, until"

[InfiniteNothing]

What makes you think the cars won't last that long?

[bachviet]

No because it would cost a company gazillion of dollars. And who wants to trade a Lambo for a Prius?

[BigJon]

I'd go for it. I would gladly trade in my gas guzzling car for a more efficient one. I have often thought of the tax return on those things...if I only had the money up-front to buy the car I would.

[hapoo]

How about actually investing in an alternate energy infrastructure? more nuclear plants? get some hydrogen out to us with some cars that run on it.

[AlpineJay]

I don't think the US Govt should do that. It's a very nice idea but there are two major issues I see with it:

1. Hybrids have very limited selection for the time being. They would not be able to address all different models and styles (not to mention that certain hybrids offer relatively little advantage in gas mileage/environmental consciousness).
2. The US Government has lots of other places where it can spend money. At the present moment, universal healthcare and addressing the recovery of New Orleans and other areas affected by Katrina instantly come to mind.

Hence, barring a massive surplus (which looks highly unlikely) even after the above conditions are addressed, I don't think the government ever will (not that they ever would), or should.

[InfiniteNothing]

Sounds like a horribly inefficient program. Where would all these old cars go? There are better ways than "free cars" to encourage consumers towards hybids.

[Merlin]

I don't like the idea but think you are on the right track. Many people want to increase the tax on gas to encourage people to switch. But realizing that rewards work better than punishment, I think there should be rewards for those who switch (tax breaks, use of carpool lanes and the like) rather than punishment (taking our money) for those who don't.

[Jeffbx]

No way - that's a short term solution to a long term issue. The gas prices will fall again, and people will switch back to large SUVs & V10s.

Probably not too many people here remember the oil crisis of the 70's, but prices were just a bad, and maybe even worse than they are today (when purchased with 1970's $$). People were lined up around the block just so they could GET some gas, as many stations were running out. We bounced back from that - that's why you see Hummers on the road & Volkswagen Beetles are no longer being made in the States.

There's no use trading in your car for a hybrid or alternate fuel vehicle until:

- there's a clearly better fuel source
- all MFRs accept it
- it allows the use of long life cars
- no increase in toxic emissions or waste (what the hell are we doing with all of those giant lead-acid batteries in some cars today??)
- easy, safe refueling
- price is comparable to a gas powered car

Now, is this a real question in your mind or are we all helping with a homework assignment? ;)

[gwilks98]

What makes you think the cars won't last that long?
Simply because there's not as much money in having someone buy a new car every 5-8 years. We wouldn't want to make the auto giants less profitable, would we?