Getting caught up in hybrid hype

Re: Dan Neil’s auto column “European carmakers rev up the electro-diesel concept,” Sept. 18:

Last month it was the breakthrough Chevy Volt at 230 mpg. Today, it’s the BMW Vision at 75 mpg . . . and “You can plug it in.”

Miles per gallon don’t tell the whole story. We need to use a unit that takes into account the energy value of the fossil fuel component as well as the electrical energy component.

Let’s stick to science and not get caught up in all the hybrid marketing hype.

James Saake

La Canada Flintridge