Externally, the Prius is not readily distinguished from similar-sized cars which run exclusively on gasoline. The Honda Insight is a two door car, seats two people, and has a distinctive tear-drop shape. The Insight is shown here as Eric Skoglund, a Manchester Conservation Commission member, is about to leave for a ride in it. The Insight has a five-speed manual transmission and can achieve 70 mpg when driven on highways. Unlike the batteries in electric-only vehicles, the battery of a hybrid car never needs recharging.
Car emissions are an ever-increasing contributor to the threat of global warming.
In all likelihood, the sales of the Japanese cars will encourage US auto manufacturers to begin production of similar models, and the attack on global warming will strengthen.