[SustainableTompkins] Hybrid parade: Efficiency does not equal emissions reductions

[Stephen Nicholson]

When I bought my 2004 Prius, my mileage doubled, compared to my Subaru
Outback.

But my emissions are much lower. The Prius is certified as a Super Ultra Low
Emission Vehicle.

Similar mpg achieved by motorcycles and scooters and careful driving does
not equal lower emissions.

Driving your lawnmower for an hour produces the same emissions as driving
your car 120 miles.

The best thing you can do for the environment ( assuming identical miles
continued to be driven), is to buy a Prius and crush your existing car so
that no one else can drive it.

Ithaca is the Prius per/capita capital of the world for good reasons!

http://www.rapidonline.com/toyota/prius.htm

The Environment

In terms of low-emissions, the Prius beats any other car on the road.
Particle matter emissions are non-existent. It has the lowest carbon dioxide
emissions of any vehicle on the market - 32% less CO2 comes out of its
exhaust than from a normal petrol-burning car. In fact over the course of a
year, the Prius produces more than a ton less CO2 than even the best
D-segment diesels. It's is also the best-performing internal combustion
production car in the world in terms of nitrous oxide and HC emissions.
Inside and out, Toyota has made extensive use of high-recyclability
materials, and huge efforts to reduce the use of any substances of concern
in the car´s construction.



On Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 7:13 PM, Andy Bailey Goodell <goodella at hartwick.edu>
wrote:

> Definitely, the best choice for a car is one that already exists, not
> trading in a 2007 hybrid for a 2008 hybrid. And sometimes the thinking of
> needing something different is just our wonderful American way of
> consumption. I was tired of getting 23 MPG in my 97 Subaru Legacy Wagon,
> and
> instead of going out and buying a new/different car, I took the time to
> learn how to drive efficiently. We have all heard how to do it, but it
> just
> takes the patience to actually do it. I can now get 40 miles per gallon in
> the same car, without ANY modifications to the car, simply just changing
> driving technique. I also drive the shortest distance route, even if it
> means taking more time because it saves gas. My drive to see my family a
> few
> times a year takes a few more hours, but uses 45% of the gas that it used
> to. So if you want to drive a more efficient car, don't empty your pockets
> just yet. Learn how to drive efficiently, find the shortest route, and
> then
> when your car is really dead, it might be better to buy the new hybrid or
> electric if you are still going to use a car.
>
> Andy Goodell
> 1894 Charlotte Creek Road
> Oneonta, NY 13820
> (603) 831-0356
> http://geekguyandy.com
>
>
>



-- 
Stephen C. Nicholson
220 Yaple Rd.
Berkshire, NY 13736
607-539-6923
scnfish at gmail.com