As it turns out, Americans are interested in buying hybrid cars, but environment isn't the main reason why.  In fact, according to this article, "reducing our impact on the environment comes third among reasons why the US should be a leader in hybrid cars (with 64%). First is "reducing the nation's reliance on foreign oil (81%)" and second is "creating jobs (67%)".  This is not surprising.  Americans are pragmatic, and I would say that the idea of "healing Mother Earth" is a bit foreign to most us.  In our way of thinking, if we can immediately see the benefit, then its the right thing to do.  Most don't understand the philosophical underpinnings of environmentalism.  For those who see the environment through moral or ethical lenses, such pragmatism, while maybe not as noble sounding as they might prefer, actually moves the agenda along in some way.  Just not as far and for the same reasons as they want.  Either way the air is cleaner and we increase in peace and prosperity.  Not a bad gig!