The Observer, November 16, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 11
Global Scorning: Hybrid cars are good energy-saving option, but research before buying
Reduction of energy use is on everyone's mind these days. Some people have taken the route of changing their light bulbs to more efficient fluorescent bulbs; other people have installed programmable thermostats in their homes to maintain an appropriate, comfortable temperature. Others have chosen to simply recycle. But what has become very trendy for consumers is the route of the hybrid car.
Hybrid cars have become commonplace in today's society. The Toyota Prius, the most popular hybrid car, symbolizes sustainability and a general concern for the environment. However, many consumers do not carefully consider if the pricey Prius will actually save gas or if it actually cuts down on the carbon dioxide that their original cars emitted.
According to CNW Marketing Research, a company that does research on cars, 57 percent of Prius drivers bought their car because it makes a statement about them, 42 percent because of the incentives or their business incentives, 36 percent because of the higher fuel economy, 33 percent because of the distinctive styling, 25 percent because of lower emissions, and 7 percent because of new technology. Prius drivers do not necessarily buy their cars because of energy-conservation issues. The hybrid car has become a symbol in today's "green" society. Driving a Prius is not the same experience as driving a non-hybrid car: Prius drivers are often lauded on the street for being so eco-friendly.
But there are alternatives to the hybrid that will help conserve and earn you hipster points. Driving less, walking, biking, or using public transportation are the simplest ways to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions. If driving is an absolute necessity, then carpool. Buying a car with excellent fuel economy helps enormously. Every increase in fuel economy of one mile per gallon cuts carbon dioxide emissions by about 272 pounds per year. Good fuel economy also helps with conserving the green in your wallet.
A website run by the Environmental Protection Agency, www.fueleconomy.gov, gives you the opportunity to compare your current car with a car you are considering to buy by plugging in information on both cars. And if you decide that you want to conserve in the form of a hybrid, then utilizing the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center site, www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/hev_calculator/single.php, will help you calculate if it is a good deal for your money and the environment. This site will help you to figure out if the pricier hybrid car will pay off in a certain amount of years.
Hybrid cars are a good segue to a more environmentally conscious society, but it is important to be aware of what you are purchasing before you invest your money into a pricey endeavor that may not even be very environmental or economical. Businesses like to profit off of popular trends and take advantage of people's eagerness to participate in them. It's wise to be conscious of what you invest in and as Public Enemy put it, "Don't believe the hype."
Michelle Udem is a second-year economics and environmental studies major and is an avid supporter of alternative energy.
