Hybrids are here.
Since it appears battery technology will continue to plague engineers for years to come, limiting both range and driveability, manufacturers are now leaning toward a combination of technologies to answer governmental demand. While the technology of choice continues to be debated, with everything from compressed natural gas to hydrogen fuel cells to solar-generated power being discussed, hybrid vehicles present a viable and logical transition from gasoline dependence to more renewable resources. Into this fray has jumped Honda, with Toyota to follow, and everyone else close on their heels. Honda's offering, the Insight, began appearing at dealerships in December, 1999. The Japanese automaker expects to sell as many as 500 units in the United States in 2000.