RLSH700, I do agree that ethanol and hybrids are not going to save us from high gas prices but I do feel that it can be a start to be more responsible and aware of our fuel consumption. There are many to blame for gas prices: the EPA for giving misleading high MPG numbers because of their non realistic testing standards, car companies (especially American) for taking the easy way out and not making cars that weren’t more environmentally friendly. The government for being themselves (an opportunistic pack of coyotes that only seem to pull together when facing a national tragedy), gas companies for being bedfellows with government officials, and most importantly ourselves. We have become more industrialized as a species and also more wasteful. How can a small family justify an escalade ESV? How many celebrities can we name that have warehouses full of cars? how many different racing events are held in america annually? We have more cars than people in America and wonder why gas prices are so high. Also I like your argument about butanol and diesel, in fact there was an article in Motor trend recently about turning trash (cars, rotten food, etc) into oil. Sadly, I think it will take even higher gas prices before a real solution is employed. Also I like your argument about cvt and vvt trannies. The mini cooper (one of my favorite cars and perhaps my plan B to a challenger if it is unaffordable) has a cvt (I think) but I am not as familiar with vvt. But there is still hope for us, look even our beloved dodge, a company not known for fuel efficiency is employing MDS in its 5.7 hemi, investing in smart cars, and making a diesel hybrid Durango. Sorry for waiting so long to respond and thanks for your insight, especially about the hybrids electrical problems during accidents.