Which is more environmentally friendly: a hybrid car or a traditional 4cyl civic/focus/cavalier/camry?

I'm doing an unscientific survey.





If you account for the manufacturing and disposal of the vehicle, as well as the operation of the vehicle over it's useful life, which is more Environmentally friendly (CO2 output, overall emissions, particulates, toxic landfill space)? A hybrid (like the Prius) or a traditional gasoline or diesel powered vehicle (choose your fuel... biodiesel, ethanol, or other)?





Should we all drive small traditional cars or jump to Hybrids?


Please also respond with your occupation.

Which is more environmentally friendly: a hybrid car or a traditional 4cyl civic/focus/cavalier/camry?
I would buy a hybrid if I could afford the added initial cost


you need to own one at least 10 years to break even price wise





RN turned Teamsters Member
Reply:I would hardly qualify this answer as the best answer. The best answer should go to yes_its_me. Report Abuse

Reply:how about a vegatable oil powered mercedes diesel? I know where to get one. yes vegatable oil
Reply:Samll business owner car fanatic here





small new diesal that runs on low sulfer is best in total terms of amount of raw materials consumed over the life of the carand in manufacturing it and operating it-and considering the acutal production e nergy required as well as the disposal enviromental issues of batteries and such of a hybrid -they in the long run are far more damaging to the enviroment than a diesal is- and the added costs will likely never be earned back over the life of hybrid unless you drive it 150k.





The ideal concpt i hydrogen- clen buring plentiful - justnot tech feasible yet
Reply:An argument as old as the hybrid technology. I owned a 2002 Prius and let the math solve the issue for me. The car was $6000 more than the Echo sedan platform that it was built on. That means in the expected five year life of the car I would need to have a $1250 a year savings in gasoline just to make it pay for itself. When the car was new and the batteries in top condition the car got an average of 48 MPG on my daily commute. An Echo would have gotten about 40. The Insurance cost more for the Prius, the services cost more for the Prius, and the cost of replacing the batteries at 80K was always in the equation. It turned out that it was way cooler to drive a Prius than en Echo, but certainly not as inexpensive. After having some major problems with it I traded mine for a small Mercedes and have lived happily ever after
Reply:A car that gives off the least toxins during it's life and is the most economical is best. I understand your point though about the landfill issues. It would be good if cars were made to last with replaceable parts. Lets hope that some brave business person goes for it and starts up that kind of manufacturing..the days of short term products and high amounts of waste that's often toxic will soon be overwhelming for the planet and us!

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