Are Hybrid Cars Good for the Environment?
Hybrids cars use both gasoline and electricity for power. In most hybrids, the car will be powered by electricity while a small, fuel efficient gasoline engine re-charges the batteries. Although the car uses gasoline, the engine that charges the battery is far more efficient than engines that usually power automobiles.
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Fuel Economy
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The gasoline engines that re-charge the batteries in a hybrid car are smaller and more efficient than engines in gasoline-powered cars. They operate on the same principle as the diesel engines in diesel-electric locomotives. In addition, many hybrids use what is called regenerative braking. This type of braking system converts the energy of braking into electricity that then goes back in to the batteries. From an environmental standpoint, hybrids use less fuel than more traditional vehicles and put less of a strain on the environment.
Waste in Production
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Production of hybrid cars produces the same amount of waste and emissions as the production of traditional gasoline powered cars. From this standpoint, the production of a hybrid car is as bad for the environment as the production of any other car. In fact, in some cases replacing an existing functional gasoline powered car with a hybrid may result in a net increase in carbon dioxide output and this have a net negative effect on the environment. People who don't drive much will output less carbon dioxide by continuing to drive their existing cars. This is because a lot of CO2 is emitted in the production of the hybrid. People who drive a moderate amount may spend three to four years of driving to offset the carbon created in the manufacturing of the hybrid. People who drive a lot, however, will see a net decrease in carbon emissions fairly quickly.
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Maintenance Waste
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Hybrids require maintenance, and that maintenance places a strain on the environment. Engine oil needs to be either pumped and refined. Tires need to be replaced. In many cases, however, the maintenance waste from a hybrid is much lower than with a conventional car. For example, brake designs on the Toyota Prius have resulted in people going well over 100,000 miles without brake service. This is because hybrids do not, in fact, have brakes. Slowing and stopping is done by the same electric engine that provides power.
Battery Disposal
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The environmental impact of the type of battery in a hybrid is lower than traditional batteries. Traditional car batteries use lead, which is highly toxic. Nickel-cadmium batteries also contain a lot of toxic metals and materials. Hybrid batteries, however, are nickel metal hydride batteries and contain far less toxic material than other battery types. In spite of this, they still contain toxic materials that must be properly disposed of to avoid environmental damage.
Overall Environmental Effect
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The overall effect of a hybrid on the environment will depend a lot on how you use the car. People looking to replace an existing car with a hybrid should look at driving patterns. If you drive a lot, a hybrid will be good for the environment. If you don't drive much, buying a hybrid could actually have a negative environmental effect. If you don't own a car and are looking to buy one, a hybrid is the best choice as it minimizes environmental effects through fuel efficiency.
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- Photo Credit Photo: Paige Foster, stock.xchng
