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Prius bad for the environment?


  3. CarolynGillis
  4. related topics
This may or may not come as some shock to you, but many scientists are saying that Toyota's best-selling hybrid, the Prius, is actually bad for the environment. Some are even asserting that it has a worse impact on our world than the widely-hated Hummer.
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I don't know if this is good or bad information but it is out there so I think we should address it because people are reading it.
cg

CarolynGillis

16 responses // Prius bad for the environment?

  • The prius probably erases the carbon footprint by saving on gas. Iono, I still want one. Gas is 'spensive.
    CarlosIsDown
  • WIRED posted a similar article last week - basically stating that it's far more environmentally friendly to buy a second hand car than a Prius. They also have a number of other interesting 'environmental fallacies' - http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/magazine/16-06...
    Rux
    • Rux
    • 2 months ago
  • http://www.pacinst.org/topics/integrity_of_science/case...
    Image...
    Here is the Pacific Institute's analysis of this report. No one can say who's right in this case until CNW releases the required information but the Pacific Institute raises some pretty good questions concerning the validity of the statements.
    mako2424
  • nothing new. Ive read about this before and wish it was more talked about or advertised as the other prius campaign.
    But is it is indeed a good good debate - educational argument, indeed. Thanks for the great find.
    -
    so funny, well argumentative speaking, that 2of my buddies were bragging about it and how it had 30lbs+ of nickel in it, and I said how is that 'green' in any ways? the article mentions about it:
    "The Prius' battery contains nickel, which is mined in Ontario Canada. The plant that smelts this nickel is apparently nicknamed "the Superstack" because of the amount of pollution it puts out;"
    meligrosa
  • I guess you can't win..unless you use your feet or bike.

    This is a relevant issue for me.
    My son and I share a car...usually both use bikes when we can. I have a 1996 Honda Accord now 150k on it...runs like a dream. not really wanting to buy another car but might have the opportunity to buy one in a few months...should I buy a new Honda Hybrid..used one?
    Keep the old Honda..I love paying those low taxes on the old one...not a pretty sight but we don't care much about that.
    CarolynGillis
  • my BF has a Honda civic HX, that he praises more than anything (he makes sure everyone know is a CIVIC HX, if you know wat i mean...).
    The car gets 35-45 mpg, is a 97 or 96 (?) and it is in good shape. I dont drive much, if at all, but thought I join you honda dream car club :)
    meligrosa
  • It all hinges upon what is done with the batteries when they replace them. I do not know about the production of the batteries causing pollution, but they definitely need to be disposed of responsibly to make this a win-win.

    Check this out (300 mpg) www.Aptera.com

    If oil keeps on its course of going up, we all need to be thinking in terms of over 100mpg!
    itsallaboutthegrip
  • The single most important thing we learn from the Pacific Institute: the anti-Prius study is not peer-reviewed.

    i.e., there is no reason to assume what they are saying is factually correct or honest

    That's not shooting the messenger -- science is a system of laws and methods. If "scientists" do not reveal the process they used to reach their conclusions, opening their results to scrutiny by their peers, then whatever they are saying is bogus (unless they can justify why it must be kept a secret).
    helicopterson
  • Pacific Institute is a puppet. Been played or manipulated by a bigger party.
    hyperbrand
  • hyperbrand that is something I suspected about this. The total carbon impact is a critical factor that should be considered. I posted this to get a discussion going though without regard to whether it is accurate. The momentum is finally going with Alternatives now but we do need to consider problems that might arise rather than sweeping them under a carpet as some unethical big businesses like to do. That way if there is a problem we thinking people should address it, put our heads together and solve it. I am sure most people here on Current.com won't sell their Prius for a Hummer..hopefully. When the survival of Earth is at risk we all need to be up front.
    CarolynGillis
  • I know the cramped size is bad on you if you're over 5'5" tall. Personally, I'm holding out until Ford Lincoln-Mercury comes out with a Navigator hybrid that runs on batteries and sunlight, with a converter designated for air purification.
    96thdayofrage
  • I would think that the best thing you can do is to keep driving whatever you currently have as long as possible. Wouldn't it make sense that you would have a larger carbon footprint if you got a new car every 3-4 years, even if it was a hybrid rather than stick with the same car for 10 years, even if it was not as fuel efficient?

    For example, my car is 4 years old. It is not a hybrid but gets ok mileage -- not great, not bad. I don't drive a ton -- maybe 12k miles/year. Wouldn't my carbon footprint be better if I stayed with this car as long as possible rather than sell it and buy a hybrid?
    jefftego
  • That's right, make what you have last as long as you can by taking care of it! This is just another wake-up call (whether is true or not) that when we get excited about a product that's called "green" we need to take a look at how green it really is, from cradle to grave.
    Kati_kat
  • People don't want to take the time to learn more about products. They take them at face value. If that's how they advertise it, it must be true. If you take all the facts into consideration, things may be the exact opposite of what you think. I try to buy local as much as possible and cut down on the amount of driving I do. I use things until there is not more use in them. Isn't that a safer bet on being green?
    JoQ
    • JoQ
    • 2 months ago
  • "The moral of the story, to me, seems to be to do your research instead of listening to media hype. Don't believe at face-value the hype a company gives you when selling its product. Don't read just one article and let it change your decision to buy a car."
    northstar13
  • I agree with following your own gut on this issue.

    Don't expect the auto industry to "feed you what you NEED"...They have traditionally performed a balance of feeding what they have to sell, based upon what they THINK you will be able to be sold.

    Those who have true answers to the equation don't always see their products succeed...Several good books to read are 'Internal Combustion', by Edwin Black (not the best written book ever, but the information in it will blow your mind), and Josh Tickell’s Bio-Diesel America. The forward in this book alone, is almost worth the price.

    The debate continues...
    itsallaboutthegrip

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