Hybrids are in a position where they make economic sense at scale today (in terms of TCO) and are massively better for the environment. It really is a no braine

Hybrids are in a position where they make economic sense at scale today (in terms of TCO) and are massively better for the environment. It really is a no brainer to convert as much as possible, and this could be achieved with a cost neutral feebate (i.e. tax non-hybrids and subsidize hybrids in equal measure), but subsidy on top of that would be even better. PHEVs can be used as a distributed source of energy, much the way the Leaf is being positioned now, except that the entire battery can be used (if the car knows it has petrol in reserve), meaning that each individually may be of as much use in this regard as a full EV. This will greatly speed up the transition to renewables. The scale of battery production argument makes more sense the other way; start with something that's economic today, then use that scale to enable full mainstream EVs in the future. "why buy cars for poor people though, versus just giving free public transit passes?" People buying brand new hybrids are not poor. You are living in a bubble, and defending public policy that directly benefits you. Why don't you take the bus?