The Word Is Out

(Fox News) - Consumer demand for hybrid vehicles is down because shoppers are becoming aware that many models actually are no more efficient than those relying solely on gasoline-powered engines. ABC's Web site reports the average mileage of hybrid vehicles available in the U.S. is 33 miles-per-gallon, but much of that comes from very small cars.

Chevrolet's new Silverado hybrid truck gets only 16 miles-per-gallon and the new Lexis hybrid sedan gets twenty-one. As a result, a new survey by J.D. Power finds only 50 percent of new vehicle shoppers are considering a hybrid, down from 57 percent a year ago.