RE: Are hybrids worth the extra-cost?
No. Batteries are the reason.
I doubt if a car with major battery dependence will ever be a true replacement for a gasoline/diesel engine vehicle. Battery replacement will be every 3 to 5 years. That's a several thousand dollar bite for an electric. A thousand dollar bite for a hybride, and a 100 dollar bite for a standard car.
High capacity batteries are expensive, and probably always will be. We might be better served with accepting the energy penalty of energy conversion to make some renewable fuel. We just need a good energy source that doesn't replace food production with energy production.
Short term hybrids are good for mileage boost. But factor in replacement of the batteries in your costs.
