In article >,
Bill Putney > wrote:

> It's been suggested more than once that you could achieve what hybrids
> claim to do if you just take their under-powered efficiency-optimized IC
> engines, and eliminated all the weight and complexity of the batteries
> and controls systems that you could at least match if not exceed the
> fuel efficiency of the factory hybrid configuration. I think someone
> posted that it's actually been tried and proven. But it wouldn't have
> the same "feel-good" factor. If this is true, what a hoax.

Also if the engine stopped when the car was stopped.
Isn't the wimpy Malibu hybrid like that?