Originally Posted by bigTlilODD

I got hit earlier today by a hybrid car. (I guess since this will be anecdotal, some of you will say that it doesn't matter). I was walking to my car and as I walked behind a hybrid, it backed up and hit me. I was able to jump out of the way and not get hurt at all, due to my cat like reflexes. It seems, to me, that the fact that they are so silent while in electric mode is dangerous to pedestrians. Imagine if it were a little child instead of a big bad mean republican.

Maybe they should have a warning bell while in reverse, and in electric mode, so we know they are about to back up since they are so quiet.

Originally Posted by Hank

They won’t be around much longer, sooner or later people will realize it’s a sham.
The good gas mileage is due to it’s size, weight and the cheat of starting with a fully charged battery array included on distance per tank divided by miles instead of straight forward mpg.

Internal combustion to mechanical to electrolyses back to mechanical!!! That’s stupid and if anything wastes energy.

Originally Posted by pramjockey

Umm, I don't think so. There'd be no reason to be cutting through the center of the vehicle.

The only real danger might be a leaky battery, but hazmat can handle NiMH spills without too much worry.

Originally Posted by goober

Actually, where you have high voltage and lots of twisted metal, there is plenty of danger. Shorted out batteries can explode. Wiring runs all through the body, and in an accident it's possible for that high voltage to reach areas where it would not normally be.
Granted, the incidents of people getting injured by this will be rare, there are some pretty good engineers trying to mitigate the hazards, but it is reasonable to expect some tragic incidents.

Originally Posted by bigTlilODD

I got hit earlier today by a hybrid car. (I guess since this will be anecdotal, some of you will say that it doesn't matter). I was walking to my car and as I walked behind a hybrid, it backed up and hit me. I was able to jump out of the way and not get hurt at all, due to my cat like reflexes. It seems, to me, that the fact that they are so silent while in electric mode is dangerous to pedestrians. Imagine if it were a little child instead of a big bad mean republican.

Maybe they should have a warning bell while in reverse, and in electric mode, so we know they are about to back up since they are so quiet.

Originally Posted by bigTlilODD

I got hit earlier today by a hybrid car. (I guess since this will be anecdotal, some of you will say that it doesn't matter). I was walking to my car and as I walked behind a hybrid, it backed up and hit me. I was able to jump out of the way and not get hurt at all, due to my cat like reflexes. It seems, to me, that the fact that they are so silent while in electric mode is dangerous to pedestrians. Imagine if it were a little child instead of a big bad mean republican.

Maybe they should have a warning bell while in reverse, and in electric mode, so we know they are about to back up since they are so quiet.

Originally Posted by Hank

They won’t be around much longer, sooner or later people will realize it’s a sham.
The good gas mileage is due to it’s size, weight and the cheat of starting with a fully charged battery array included on distance per tank divided by miles instead of straight forward mpg.

Internal combustion to mechanical to electrolyses back to mechanical!!! That’s stupid and if anything wastes energy.

Originally Posted by Angry American

I don't remember being able to hear the engine of a modern car backing out of a parking space; come to think of it deaf people can't hear any kind of car backing out of a parking space. Maybe in addition to a warning bell they should have flashing strobe lights and waving flags on the end of long polls.

You're post title is a little alarmist considering the forum you've posted in. Your brief lapse in attention isn't worthy of environmental control.

By the way, I'm glad nobody was injured in the making of this post.