me6@privacy.net wrote:
> Hmm....Im getting conflicting info on the gas mileage of hybrids.
> Some say they aren't living up to their claimed high mileage. True?

2003 Civic Hybrid CVT automatic. San Jose, CA to Benicia, CA.
60mph cruise control, 59.0 miles, 59.0 mpg.
70mph cruise control, 59.0 miles, 52.0 mpg.
http://www.rahul.net/dold/clarence/Honda_Mileage.htm

> Interesting!! Im curious..... why are the japanese so against
> diesel? And why is Europe so FOR them?

In the US, the common diesel fuel is high in sulfur, which is different
from Europe. I don't know which Japan has. In the US, areas that have
high diesel usage tend to have noticeable soot in the air, and deposited on
almost every flat surface, like the window ledges in downtown areas where
there are lots of diesel powered buses and delivery trucks doing a lot of
idling.

At one time it was thought that "particulate matter" was okay, because it
doesn't increase photo-chemical smog, so you can't see it in the air. but
it does have very fine airborne particles that are now believed to gain
deep entry into the lungs and are bad for you.

Diesel is currently at $2.33 a gallon, regular gas at $2.19, so that would
hurt market entry today as well.

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8-122.5