I visited the New York Auto Show last Sunday and was curious to see if the rising cost of gas had increased people’s interest in hybrids or all-electric cars. Apparently not, since the biggest crowds were gathered around the Porsches and Lamborghinis. As gas prices go up it will be interesting to see if more people start buying hybrids. This has been the case in Europe where hybrids are more popular than here.

Hardly anyone was gathered around the electric cars. One reason may be that they look and sound different from what we’re used to. Without the big engine it looks like the front end has been cut off. There’s hardly any noise which may disappoint people who enjoy the sound of a revving engine. However, from my experience riding around in an electric golf cart, it’s remarkable how much more you hear in your surroundings when you don’t have a gas engine running.

At the car show there was a computer and camera set up so people could speak in real time to a soldier stationed in Iraq. A few people stopped to speak to him but most went on by. How many people have made a connection between their use of gas and the invasion of Iraq. Or are aware of how the war’s impact on the economy has in turn affected their ability to afford a car?

I welcome your comments below . . .