Hybrids on the Rise

Reuters has some good news tonight, with a report that a new J.D. Power-LMC Automotive Forecasting Services study forecasts that hybrid vehicles will increase from a .5% market share in 2004 to a 3.5% share by 2012, and diesel vehicles' share will increase from 3% to 7.5% in the same period.

A participant in the study, Anthony Pratt, said of the findings "Higher gas prices are acting as a catalyst for automakers and consumers to find alternatives to the traditional gasoline internal combustion engine."

If the forecast proves true, this is good news. It also puts the lie to the argument that auto companies cannot make more fuel efficient vehicles without compromising safety (the projected hybrids are likely to be largely in the mid-size to SUV range, the study suggests). Get at it, Detroit.