Why is it that hybrid cars get such crappy gas mileage???
Well, there was the Clean Air Act in 1992, which put stricter air pollution controls on cars. There have also been newer safety regulations (such as seat belts, air bags, tire pressure monitors, and bumper crash resistance, for example), that have added weight to the vehicles. In general, cars have been getting heavier over the years, with more added horsepower, and with more added standard safety/emissions equipment, and more convienence items on the car. Heavier cars will get lower fuel economy. There was a large advertisement campaign recently, noting that the Ford Model T got 25mpg, while the fleet average of cars 100 years later is less than that… Typically, a hybrid car gets better fuel economy, emissions, and power, than a comparable gasoline-only model. Just how much depends on the type of hybrid design employed and if it is tuned more for efficiency or for power.
