Toyota Prius More Harmful than the Hummer?

Last month Congress pushed forward a bill setting higher standards for fuel economy and for more electric cars and biofuels. Electric cars are definitely part of the future, along with nuclear power. But there's just one problem...the batteries. They are toxic to the environment. We need new battery technology that is safe and 100% renewable/recyclable, otherwise we're substituting one evil (overconsumption of oil and pollution) with another one (more pollution and damage to the environment).

So I did a quick search on google and I found a bunch of articles about how the Toyota Prius is more harmful to the environment than the Hummer. Thanks to it's complex design and manufacturing process, more exotic materials, shorter lifespan, more expensive repair and disposal costs, and batteries, it actually costs more to drive than the Hummer - the big one - in terms of energy cost per mile. Nearly 50% more.

Link


This too funny. Seems like its all about perception.The uber environmentally friendly Prius Is nothing more than something that makes you feel like your helping the environment.

Originally posted by Digital_Reality

So I did a quick search on google and I found a bunch of articles about how the Toyota Prius is more harmful to the environment than the Hummer.

Link


This too funny. Seems like its all about perception.The uber environmentally friendly Prius Is nothing more than something that makes you feel like your helping the environment.

But did he verify these articles he found during his "quick seach", did you?
I'm not saying its true, I'm not saying it's not, but based on that one little quote in the article I can't put much faith in his opinion. Of course I refuse to drive so I could actually care less. I ride a bicycle or walk, no consequential emmisions.

Vas

The irony would be too rich...

The Prius, which if you believed the hype, was going to save the world.

The Hummer, which if you believed the hype against, was the bane of all things, the chariot of Satan or some such.

Now it may be that ones as bad as the other if in a different way. Amusing.

well it makes sense.Al Gore= NWO?

pretty sure there's been an thread or 2 on that one...

Here is the original report. Naturally, it has been criticized, and here is a rebuttal report criticizing the first one.

Obviously a political football.

Here's an easy one....

You will be in a head on crash today, there is no avoiding it....The good news is you get to choose to drive a Prius or a Hummer.

Choose!

Hopefully you will choose the one that is less harmful?

reply to post by RRconservative


Simple ... the Prius. It is designed to protect the passenges, but not only that, you will do less harm to the passengers of an oncoming vehicle ... unless it is a hummer. A semi will destroy both.


An H2 gets between 5-9 mpg. I know, I drove one as a lot porter at a dealership. I had to go across town in it a couple times. It literally drinks fuel like an alcoholic drinks boones farm.



There is no perfect vehicle. The older efficient cars pollute the air compared to the new ones ... more GHG.

Drive what you need, no bigger. If you don't haul things regularly, don't buy a truck. If you have one kid, don't buy an suv.

The real point of a hybrid is to NOT use the battery. If you are using it, you are not driving efficiently in the first place. They are good at training you how to drive better. I let my dad use my civic hybrid ... at first he got in the 30s mpg in the city ... after a month he was in the 40s. He used it to go to the VA hospital, he got in the 60s. He learned the same lesson ... the lighter and less you use those pedals by your feet, the better your economy ... which goes for ANY vehicle.

One thing I am rather sure of ... the Hummer not only eats more fuel, but emits much more emissions. The Prius burns 4-6x less fuel, and is rated as one of the lowest in emissions.

Does that counter a poor design that created a lot of problems and waste? NO.

I personally don't like the Prius or the Toyota hybrid system. Everything is co-dependent. If the battery system fails, you can't drive. With Honda's, if the battery system fails, you can drive it ... and still get decent mileage, since it was designed as an assist, and in the hybrid world, it is not considered a true hybrid because of it ... the newer one is sort of, but it is a technicality.


Please, for all of our sakes ... buy a pump, some pills, or just be happy with what you already have ... don't buy a Hummer to make up for your SHORTcomings Pavement doesn't require an off-road vehicle, and, since I have used one for various purposes with my job ... in my first-hand opinion, I cannot see the daily life practicality, not the average business practicality in cities, sub-burban, or even most rural areas.

oh well. freedom of choice is great, but i would like people to have more common sense. I can't say too much, I still want to get an RX-7 again, and another 75 GrandVille with a 400 big block. I just don't plan on driving them daily ... but I do really LOVE those two cars.