Quote:
Originally Posted by vstech
"hybrid" vehicles are little more than sales gimmicks. the "feel good yuppies" seem to think they are the holy grail to carbon footprint living. many see that they are not THE answer, but more of a funding of the technology so better cars can be made that will eliminate the carbon footprint. very few think long term, and consider all the information.
the massive footprint from MAKING the vehicles, and the short term life of the vehicle itself, requiring replacement of the vehicle when it begins to break down.
I do agree, I read that the batteries were warranted for extended periods.
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This is true. The amount of carbon emitted by production and manufacture for one vehicle is the equivalent of like five years of normal driving. I've been of the opinion lately that the facet of American consumerism predicating an addiction to new and shiny things actually causes more problems in terms of "carbon footprint" than any singular individual who drives a big gas guzzler. The manufacture and production of 'new' things and the shipping of them all over the country and the world is a great cause of increased carbon emissions. Overall carbon output can be reduced if items were built to last and people fixed used things instead of buying new. But the economy and employment depends on the incessant manufacture and sale of new things in order to sustain itself, making the current carbon emissions situation a big catch-22. No amount of hybrid car purchasing, cash-for-clunkers old car buying away, or even tofu-eating can significantly impact carbon emissions. Systemic changes are utterly necessary, and that requires a change in mindset. Until then, we should all be proud of our old cars, and smugly happy with ourselves for our relatively minimal carbon footprints.
