This is the paper that I had to write in school on why to drive a Diesel over a Hybrid (both of which I own). I got 100% on this paper and my Professor has decided to go test drive a Jetta TDI! Running head: HOW GREEN IS YOUR MACHINE? How Green Is Your Machine? How Green Is Your Machine? Canvas shopping bags and recycling centers. Wind turbine farms dominating ridgelines across America. Clothing made from recycled plastic bottles. Compact fluorescent light bulbs and rechargeable batteries. Energy Star appliances and recycled toilet paper. Al Gore winning a Nobel Prize for his work on raising the awareness about global warning. Bamboo 鈥渉ardwood鈥?floors. Refurbished appliances, thrift store clothing, used DVDs and CDs, and swap meets. Websites dedicated to green living, sustainable lifestyles, and organic foods. Truly, the green movement has become the dominant story of the first decade of this century. One cannot turn on the television without seeing commercials touting the 鈥済reen鈥?attributes of a product or promoting an anti-consumerism lifestyle while still encouraging consumerism.
Beyond peradventure, the most dominant aspect of the green movement has been the large scale introduction of hybrid vehicles and their unquestioned acceptance by the media and mainstream society as a de facto symbol of the green movement. After all, what better poster child for the green movement than the second most valuable personal possession one can have? But, what if these symbols of green living are not the earth friendly saviors the media hype has portrayed them to be? Is it possible that popular hybrids such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid are not the best choices for either the environment or the consumer pocketbook? Are there better choices that have been overlooked by the media? By now, most people have been in at least one friendly discussion with someone over the influx of hybrid cars into the U.S. Undeniably, hybrid owners are enjoying some perks that traditional car owners can only dream about.
For example, hybrid cars are permitted in the HOV lanes in both Arizona and California during rush hours even if there is only the driver in the car. Furthermore, across the country, hundreds of premium parking spaces are being reserved for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Likewise, there have often been impressive tax incentives to purchase hybrids. All these factors, as well as the certain smugness and air of superiority shared by hybrid owners, have been given ample coverage in mainstream media. What the media has failed to acknowledge on a wide scale are the problems associated with both the production and ownership of the traditional gasoline hybrids. These problems include the increased carbon footprint of production and the higher purchase pricing that effectively cancels out the savings gained through fuel economy. To begin the discussion, it is important to properly define the term 鈥渉ybrid鈥? When the Prius and similar hybrids hit the markets, there were facts missing about some not-so-earth-friendly problems these cars possess. In addition to these environmentally unfriendly issues, there are also the issues dealing with the costs involved in hybrid ownership.
2009) and they may buy the car before realizing their misunderstanding. Furthermore, the electric batteries in hybrids are costly and the warranties only range from five to eight years. Gratitude for raising our collective awareness aside, in these hard economic times, consumers need to consider their pocket-books in addition to their desire to travel greenly. Because of this, it is only right that they take a hard look at the higher costs of hybrids and do the research to find out if the savings truly add up in the end. Fortunately, for consumers looking to purchase an eco-friendly car that is also easy on the wallet, there are now many reliable and credible comparisons to consider as they research their decision. One comparison to consider is that between a hybrid and its gasoline equivalent such as the Civic Hybrid and the Civic LX as well as the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Corolla LE. Providentially for environmentally minded consumers with an eye on their bank account, there is a third choice beyond gasoline and hybrid cars.
