Wondering what people think about whether it is better to buy a very small and economic car or a hybrid. I have heard that some of the new small cards are more fuel efficient than hybrids.
Where does one get such data in NZ?
Wondering what people think about whether it is better to buy a very small and economic car or a hybrid. I have heard that some of the new small cards are more fuel efficient than hybrids.
Where does one get such data in NZ?
HHHMMM its a hard one
Its a tricky one im not sure if you watch boston legal but its actually very good at addressing social issues and last week was the whole issue about being geener and cleaner and if what we know is actually right, for instance a hybrid car uses a battery in which the main ingredient is nickel, nickel is produced at a factory in canada in which the area surrounding is a wasteland because of the toxins released from the factory the battery is then shipped to wherever the car is made usually japan or china to be put in the car then the car itself is shiiped back to canada, the US and everywhere else to be sold so a ridiculous amoutn of energy is being used to make the car which im not sure the car would make up for in patrol saving, therefore i would be more inclined to buy a small economic car or even a scooter imported from the nearest country possible its probably cheaper for you too!!
A can of worms
It is a complex issue and you're right, if the reason we're considering the issue is that we want to find the greenest solution then maybe better to buy a good small economical second hand car ... or stay away from cars altogether. Bikes, walking and pubic transport are all miles better than any kind of private car.
A Lot of Similar Iissues Apply to Any Type of Vehicle
The pollution caused by the factoty in Canada with the nickel battery but what about lead acid batteries in conventional petrol vehicles. Lead can be very toxic too if workers are exposed or the batteries are thrown away after use. Also the parts been manufactured in different countries definitly apply to most conventional petrol vehicles as well. So there is just as much energy inefficiency during manufacture.
One type of battery that is reported to be relatively nontoxic is lithium ion batteries. That have been used in some entirely electric cars. They can also get 300kms per charge. There are about two manufacturers that I know of making these cars, in the USA. I think most of the parts come from the same area or at least the same country.
G J Goodsir