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

[Bethany Schroeder]

Okay, Larry, when are you going to tell us about how we get 40 mpgs from 
our cars?

Bethany

Andy Bailey Goodell wrote:
>  Don't be fooled... While buying a Prius allows for lower tailpipe
> emissions, don't assume that makes it instantly better. Do you know how much
> energy goes into mining nickel for Prius batteries from Sudbury, Ontario?
> And how much emissions came from the diesel used in that? And what happens
> to those batteries when they don't hold a charge anymore? Focusing on gas or
> emissions alone is what gets us in trouble. The best car is one that already
> exists, not buying a new car (unless the one that already exists is a huge
> SUV). Think of all the energy that goes into making a new vehicle, and
> replacing all those specialized parts (especially electronic ones) over the
> life of it. Instead of spending $20k+ on a Prius, if you bought a used Civic
> and spent the extra money to upgrade the catalytic converter and filters and
> drove it efficiently you could be getting the same gas mileage and maybe
> slightly higher emissions, but didn't need to gather all the new material to
> make a Prius. 
> 
> 
> Andy Goodell
> 1894 Charlotte Creek Road
> Oneonta, NY 13820
> (603) 831-0356
> http://geekguyandy.com
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org
> [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of
> Stephen Nicholson
> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:05 PM
> To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv
> Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] Hybrid parade: Efficiency does not
> equalemissions reductions
> 
> 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
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