Anyone tried the hybrids?

I was interested in this article, especially because I have been eagerly anticipating the release of Ford's Hybrid Escape; which incidentally is not hydrogen powered ,if you're worried about the whole ozone thing. However they have already designed an engine with hydrogen fuel cells (the H2RV).

check it out here: http://www.autointell-news.com/News-2003/August-2003/August-2003-2/August-13-03-p1.htm

I'm sure it's all a part of a bigger scheme to get a piece of the pie that the government is handing out in terms of dollars for hydrogen fuel cell research.

All this aside (I just happen to be a Ford fan so I had to throw a little plug in for them) I'm wondering if all this hype about global warming with the new hydrogen hybrids is nearly as bad as what we're doing right now with direct use of our nonrenewable resources. Sure they should be working on research to design cars that run on windmills or well water or whatever, I know. Maybe I'm wrong and it's just as easy to develop a car with a hydrogen fuel cell capability from a renewable resource as it is nonrenewable, but if it's quicker to do it from a nonrenewable source, get low emission cars on the road and pave the way for future research. Do it! Anyone know anymore about this stuff?

I think the formidable aspect of these hybrids is the price. I know the Ford Escape is not much above that of it's predecessor. Anyone know about other models/makes? I know there was a big push by Ford to make the vehicles perform as well as it's competitors as far as power, towing capacity etc. goes. I wonder if the other manufacturers are doing this as well. I'm interested as well as Mark in comments by those who have tried out the hybrids.

I don't know much about the mechanical negatives, but I'm glad they got rid of one of the big asthetic negatives of hybrids: the covered rear wheels. That used to make me cringe.