Hybrid Cars?
September 30, 2009 in Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Did you know that you can save fuel and run your car on water
Harrison Brooks asked:
Do Hybrid cars really do anything for the environment ?
Did you know that you can save fuel and run your car on water
Yes, in the long run they may help things. But not anything today or even in 10 years, unless every person on the planet drove one.
Emissions are cut by an average of 10% or so compared to the car’s pure petroleum burning cousin (i.e. Accord petrol vs. Accord Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, Tahoe Hybrid, etc.).
Do the math. Less than 5% of all operating cars could be hybrids, making emissions reduced by 10% per hybrid, over a certain time span, doesn’t heal the environment, it only slows the dying process. 5% times 10% equals .005; Thats a half-percent total emissions deduction.
So, we’re still killing the environment, and if you buy a hybrid, you’ll kill your pocket book, too. They’re pretty damn expensive and you cant really find one used.
No. Green diesel is the way.
Slighly, Most hybrids use a electric motor that only operates from 0-20mph. I don’t usually drive 0-20mph. But they them ever so slightly. Now General Motors in making a hybrid in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and it just won the “Green Car of the Year” award. It’s mileage increased 40% by using something new in the transmission. This will be the way of the new future.
Of course they do! They use only half the fuel that normal gasoline-driven cars do. That means half the petroleum usage and half the greenhouse gases. Modern diesel cars are pretty good in that regard, too.
They have their benefits and their pitfalls. There is the obvious fuel consumption savings, which naturally helps the environment. They are pricier than their base models (mine was about $3000 more than the non-hybrid version). The batteries become a problem if the car is ever destroyed, however there are methods of recycling the batteries to minimize their environmental impact. Of course, the recycling process itself has some impact. The impact of first time productions of hybrids, as with many new technologies, is quite negative. this evens out over time with greater production.
The bottom line for me was this: I could afford one without significantly impacting my finances, they are overall better for the environment than their non-hybrid cousins, and, most importantly to me, I feel the only real voice I have in this debate is as a consumer. I think the auto industry goes along with whatever the demand is. If I can create a higher demand for more fuel efficient vehicles with my money, I feel that is the responsible thing to do. We have the power to demand more from companies. It is not enough to simply complain and expect the government to just make new rules.
They do because they get better mileage than our conventional cars, especially in city driving because you are stopping a lot. The best one we have to date averages 45MPG.
The problem I have with them is there are many other conventional diesel cars around the world that get better mileage, cost less, are less complex, and can burn bio diesel where available. These cars are much better for CO2 pollution, which is supposed to be our main concern.
I think, right now, that they are just one entry along the way to real fuel alternatives of the future that will be the answer to lasting, long term solutions addressing our greenhouse emissions and fuel oil dependance.
in hybird cars in the enviornmental do not maintain
Any car or device has an impact on the environment.
A car that uses less resources is not as bad as one that uses more.
One problem with diesels is the particulates kill thousands each year; which is why petrol-electric hybrids are exempt London congestion charge, and they are not as noisy and do not run when stationary.
Electric vehicles have a much better torque curve, so are much more efficient, than infernal combustion, they also re-generate electric when slowing down. So require much less primary fuel. If the electric was generated centrally in big turbines from un-refined fuel close to source then even more efficiencies can be acheived