Hybrids versus diesel in Europe

The Europeans seem quite cynical on the prospect of hybrid cars. Their penchant for diesel vehicles as a thrifty mode of transportation is unrivalled by any other forms. But when hybrid vehicles were swarmed by onlookers in the recent auto show, many pundits finally took note. They realized that the early hybrid developers, Toyota and Honda, may be right in pursuing the environmental fronts. Hybrid cars, which combine an electric motor with a regular gasoline engine can cut fuel consumption by as much as 25 percent.

Now, even the Bimmers, Benzes and Porsches have begun developing their own hybrids as sky high petrol prices hasten the development of alternative vehicles. Diesels are likely to take a back seat in the future as the German car makers no longer dismiss hybrid technology as costly and inefficient. With the dizzying pace of hybrid development, the German makers could not afford to sleep through the hybrid development. They need to wake up fast to catch up on things started by the Japanese a while back.