[randywebb]

That's a big mistake for numerous reasons.

1. When fuel hits $4 or $5 a gallon you'll be happy to get better mileage
2. a hybrid allows the heavy, amssive power plant to be partitioned into 2 or maybe 3 pieces and distributed at various points on the vehicle, a. potentialy lowering the CG, and b. changing the polar moment of inertia
3. a hybrid can allow a limp home mode if one of the power plants fails
4. same if one can't find a gas station
5. it sets you up for swapping the fuel based engine later on for a different kind or for a fuel cell
6. it cuts pollution and reduces the need for ever more restrictive pollution laws to maintain air quality
7. b/c electric motors develop their max. torque at stall, you can get fun launches w/o a big heavy V-8 or V-10 in your car.

- those are just a few reasons off the top of my head. I enjoy my flat 6, however.