The first generation Toyota Prius was released in 2000. The current generation Prius which was introduced in 2004 is way improved. Here is a comparison:

Curb Weight
2000: 2765 lbs
2004: 2932 lbs

Front Leg Room/Read Leg Room
2000: 41.2 in / 35.4 in
2004: 41.9 in / 38.6 in

Luggage Capacity
2000: 11.8 cu. ft.
2004: 14.4 cu. ft

Horsepower
2000: 70 hp
2004: 110 hp

Fuel Mileage (city/highway)
2000: 52 mpg / 45 mpg
2004: 60 mpg / 51 mpg

So in 4 years, the car increased dramatically in size and weight, puts out 60% more horsepower, yet also gets 15% better gas mileage. There is no reason to believe that similar gains cannot be had every 4 years. There are already rumors that the next generation Prius will get over 100 mpg.

And as for speed, the Accord Hybrid puts out 253 hp and still gets 35 mpg. So yes, it is a trade-off. But I don't doubt that with R&D, in a short time they will achieve 50 mpg and 250 hp in the same engine. And in my lifetime, they will achieve 100 or 200 mpg and still be able to put out that same power.

The reality of this is that hybrid technology is nothing new. They could have done this 30 years ago if they wanted to. The technology was around then too. But the oil companies want you think that without oil you cannot have a decent automobile. If there was no oil on the planet earth, do you really think we would not have any modern forms of transportation today?

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