"If the hybrid drive or
"If the hybrid drive or electric propulsion system costs more than the gas that would be used to propel the “standard engine” in a given car, the car is simply not more economical. It may save gas, but that is fuel efficiency, not fuel economy." Now if you look at it after 3 to 4 years, at $4.30 a gallon a hybrid is much more economical and an EV a year or so later.
If you look at the price of nickel metal hydrates ten years ago and now, then compare it to most lithium chemistry, you will see lithium priced dropped a lot, thanks to laptop, cell phones and now cars.
Ford is a careful car company, in a difficult economy, in the middle of a tough market trying to hedge out its bet in Detroit, of all the places. The nickel metal hydrate vs. lithium no longer valid these days. When Chevron bought the patents, it made sure it would be kept artificially expensive. Thankfully, the same never happened with lithium.