I bought my Element in late Jan 2003 when there we none seen on the streets in my area. I can't tell you how many people came up to ask questions. Most of those people's second question was "is it a hybrid?" Each time I had to answer sadly that it was not. I know several people with the Civic Hybrid and I would love it if Honda made an Element hybrid version that could pull off 35 or 40 MPG. I drove a 93 Civic Si for nine years and got really use to 38 MPG. I then bought the Element and I was really very unhappy with the MPGs. I did a lot a digging and found the 22-24 MPGs I was seeing beat almost all SUVs and many cars so it is not terrible but I expect more from Honda in this department.

i second that; i would trade my present E in for a hybrid version in a second

Word for the third...

Dear Honda:

Someone is making Hybrids cheaper... (http://story.news.yahoo.com/fc?cid=34&tmpl=fc&in=Business&cat=Automobiles_and_Driving)

Follow the link...it may not solve the problems of the weight and power, but its a start right?

Yep, I'll agree with that: MORE mileage out of the Element. It has power enough for me and high speed enough for me, also. Don't care how it is done, just get better mpg!

Ger

A Hybrid would make me even happier! (Not to mention get me a deal on my electricity!)

I was just chatting at the coffee maker area today about that. A bunch of us said the E-Hybrid would sell like crazy. You'd get the SUV folks who don't want to scrunch down into a small car and you'd appeal to the outdoorsey folks and the city commuters alike (I hear you save most on gas with city driving as it uses electric for low speeds). We'd have only Elements in our household, if they came out w/an E-Hybrid. :!: E-OrangeEX4WD

As long as I can still get up a mountain, I'd love to have a hybrid Element!

The choice for me was between a hybrid and an element. Those were the choices, I chose the Element but if there would have been a hybrid Element my life would have been perfect!

I wonder though if a Hyrbrid E would have enough power. That's the only reason I can think of why Honda isn't selling them. The E is awesome and gets better gas mileage than any SUV on the road, but it's a little underpowered (which benefits me since I've got enough Speeding Tickets). I have trouble getting up the mountain without kicking it the rpms to 5.5k. A hybrid E may not make it up the mountain. My mom has a hybrid civic. It's always fun to take that up the mountain and watch the battery levels go down nearly to zero.

Diesel...biodiesel

My mom has a hybrid civic. It's always fun to take that up the mountain and watch the battery levels go down nearly to zero.Nevermind the fact they recharge again on the way back DOWN the mountain.

Maybe a diesel is more likely.
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=282966#post282966 :

"... Honda's CEO Kukui said it will start offering 2.2L turbo diesel in usa in 08.

He said Honda plans going usa-wide w/ it in 3yr phase-in. It's been sold in Europe since 04.

It uses common-rail direct-injection and interestingly won't use urea-injection to reduce pollution which is the current industry standard. He wouldn't say what Honda would use instead. It will meet EPA's Tier 2 bin 5 pollution standards which the current E meets. [T2B5 is pretty much equivalent to the LEV II standard.]

Honda's also working on a v6 meeting the same standard."

I dint see any mention of HP.

There are some links on the above EOC link.

Mess on hybrid. Lets just fugure out how to stuff this into the E.

Tesla motors (http://www.teslamotors.com/styling/body.php)

I third/fourth/fifth whatever this. We love our Element, but we HATE that we traded a Civic Hybrid's gas mileage for the mileage on this baby. 42mpg vs. 21mpg (give or take)

*sigh*

(I hear you save most on gas with city driving as it uses electric for low speeds).
True, sort of, the stop and go traffic is what gets you the good gas mileage with the Variable Transmission (automatic) on the Hybrids.

-really, really miss the Civic Hybrid, but still love my Element-

I'm sure Honda can shoehorn that hybrid drivetrain they use in the Accord. More power, higher MPG. Would you pay, let's say. $26,000 for it?

Diesel...biodiesel

ditto on diesel

Maybe a diesel is more likely.
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=282966#post282966 :

"... Honda's CEO Kukui said it will start offering 2.2L turbo diesel in usa in 08.

He said Honda plans going usa-wide w/ it in 3yr phase-in. It's been sold in Europe since 04.

It uses common-rail direct-injection and interestingly won't use urea-injection to reduce pollution which is the current industry standard. He wouldn't say what Honda would use instead. It will meet EPA's Tier 2 bin 5 pollution standards which the current E meets. [T2B5 is pretty much equivalent to the LEV II standard.]

Honda's also working on a v6 meeting the same standard."

I dint see any mention of HP.

There are some links on the above EOC link.

I would trade my current E right away if I could get an AWD turbo diesel element with a MT.

The Element has been on our shortlist of vehicles to consider for the last couple of years. I've been a big fan of the Element since it first made its début, and still consider it to be a pretty fresh and innovative vehicle.

One thing that keeps holding us back (and increasingly so with gas prices moving the way they have over the last year) is the Element's less-than-spectacular fuel economy numbers.

I can only assume that the reason Honda has not put a hybrid powertrain into the Element (or CR-V for that matter) is that either the way the little trucklets are engineered, they cannot fit the hybrid drive system (engine, transmission and battery packs) into the mini-utes, or Honda simply cannot produce the hybrid components in significant enough volume to meet forecasted demand.

It's a shame, really... the Element seems ideally positioned for an "alternative" powertrain like a hybrid system or a clean diesel.

I'd be surprised if the new Honda diesel expected in 2008 makes it into the Element. With the power figures that have been announced, i would expect to see it in the Accord, CR-V and maybe the Odyssey first. If they do a V6 Diesel, i'd expect to see that in the Pilot and Ridgeline.

Then again, Honda originally positioned the Element as a "twentysomething" vehicle, and i'm sure that original plan has been completely eradicated by the actual buyer data, so maybe the next-generation Element will be a bit more upscale, instead of the (perceived) "red-headed stepchild" status it seems to have now.

Suffice it to say, if there were a hybrid or diesel Element available, we very likely would have bought one instead of the smart fortwo coupé we bought last November (which we LOVE, by the way).

...I'd be surprised if the new Honda diesel expected in 2008 makes it into the Element. With the power figures that have been announced, i would expect to see it in the Accord, CR-V and maybe the Odyssey first. If they do a V6 Diesel, i'd expect to see that in the Pilot and Ridgeline...

What have you seen with respect to power figures?

This is what Honda's John Watts, Manager of USA Product Planning, is saying on Diesels as of July, 06.

Honda likes the Diesel in its midsize and larger vehicles; hybrid in smaller ones.

The Odyssey and Pilot are too heavy for the 4 cyl diesel. Seems they'l have to wait for the v6.

The 4 cyl Diesel in CRV [and I guess Element] and Accord, maybe Civic.

Seems the plan is start introducing Diesel 4 cyl in 08, w/ total USA coverage by 09.

http://forums.automotive.com/community/70/16907/by-manufacturer/honda/more-turbo-diesel-for-honda-lineup/index.html

Interestingly, the Honda Diesel won't use urea injection to lower NOx, so drivers won't have the hassle of a urea tank. I haven't found what Honda will use instead.

Most manufacturers are planning Diesels in the USA for around 08 because the Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel fuel will be mandatory where ever Diesel is sold by then or sooner. Diesels sold in 07 and later must burn ULSD only.

I would think a 200hp turbo diesel Element would perform better across the board, than current models.