Seattle Press on Line - The Future is Here!

The Future is Here!

Tim Baker test drives the Toyota Prius.

Aug 23, 2000 -- The future is here! Don't you just love that phrase? I recently had the privilege of test driving for 24 hours the new Toyota hybrid car, the Prius. What a remarkable car it is, indeed. Seattleites seem to be loving this car and cars similar to it, and why not? At around $21,000, it is affordable to many of us. Why is the Prius different? It is a "hybrid" car, having both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to propel the car quietly, quickly and cleanly through the streets of Japan and now America. Honda also has a hybrid car, the Insight. I have seen both on the streets of Seattle.

What is amazing about the Prius (and the Insight) is that it uses regenerative braking power to charge the battery that runs the electric motor. So, don't ask owners of this car, "where do you plug it in?" You won't be seeing extension cords running from houses to the street to charge up these cars. And, as long as you keep gas in the engine, there is unlimited mileage to travel. I think Americans will embrace these cars for several reasons: high gas mileage, performance levels that match regular gasoline cars (the Prius is as fast as my Benz up to 60 mph!), and the fact you will not have to "plug in" the car at some electric "gas" station of the future.

One downside to these cars is that they are quiet. Downside? Bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists of the future will have to be even more attentive around these silent vehicles. But that should not distract people from checking out these cars at a dealership nearby. I was told the Prius is so popular in Seattle that there is a six-month wait to receive one after ordering. I guess those tree huggers are turning in their Volvos and VW vans for a greener car. And the City of Seattle recently ordered 40 Priuses, saving future taxpayer dollars on gasoline expenses. I hope the savings will go into pothole repair!

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