On Feb 23, 2007, at 3:24 AM, Lee Jones wrote:

>  If you ease your foot off of the
> brake pedel, the computer uses the electric motor to cause the car
> to creep forward ... since that's what a gasoline engine powered
> car with an automatic transmission does.
>
I just got a new prius hybrid myself.  I thought this particular
behavior was due at least partially to this being a particularly
INEFFICIENT (as per Gerhard) operation point for a gas motor.  It's
also useful when you're stopped going uphill; people used to automatic
transmissions are NOT used to having to take special precautions to
keep from rolling backward...

BillW
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