This is true to a point. The cost of hybrids needs to come down (or reintroduce tax rebates for Toyota with plug-ins in two years) for hybrids to hit a faster

This is true to a point. The cost of hybrids needs to come down (or reintroduce tax rebates for Toyota with plug-ins in two years) for hybrids to hit a faster break-even point than 5 years unless gas skyrockets to $5-6 / gallon. A good portion of current of the hybrid market doesn't really care about breaking even or saving that much on gas - they're more concerned with the social factors - reducing pollution and dependence on foreign oil. In order to really push the rest of American towards alternative-fuel or electric vehicles, the cost is going to have to come down.