Hybrid Makes Environmental Sense

Politics of Pollution - Three Top Reasons why a hybrid makes environmental sense

While some people are becoming more concerned about environmental issues, one can still see the smog that encases many cities during rush-hour. Anyone who watches the news can also see that we are struggling with our energy resources. Almost everyone relates hybrid cars with less pollution and better gas mileage. Besides saving money on gas, there are a few other reasons that buying a hybrid is such a good idea.

One can start by looking at what the EPA has to say. Comparing a regular car to a hybrid is quite an eye-opener. The EPA thoroughly checks vehicles to see what kind of emissions they are putting into the air, and then rates them by the results. It is no wonder that hybrid cars, SUVs and soon, minivans, are the EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) favorites. The Toyota Prius hybrid, for example churns out less than half of what the gas-only Camry does of carbon dioxide. Other pollutants like nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons are cut by two-thirds and halves with hybrid vehicles. The reason that the EPA can give hybrids ratings in the best category is based on their green house emissions rating. Except for trucks, hybrids are ending up in the best categories again and again. It sounds great to hear that a hybrid emits so much less pollution, but when one hears that most hybrids cumulatively emit 97% less toxins than the average car, it makes one wonder how anyone can justify not driving one yet. For now, long waiting lines and high prices can appease the guilt.

Churning out fewer emissions is directly linked to the other reason that hybrids make sense. Mileage tests show that hybrids get between the 20s and 30s for some SUV and truck models and into the 60s for cars. The Honda Insight in automatic gets about 50 mpg and the mid-60s for the manual version. Hybrids are simply more efficient than their gas counterparts. Although, there is debate about the degree of greenhouse effects from the use of fossil fuels, most people are unable to deny the fact that better mileage in vehicles is one of the ways to produce less of them. Not understanding the complete ramifications of unchecked toxins, does not make most people feel any better about only getting 15 or 18 mpg. Hybrids show that there is a way out of the gluttonous gas usage which has us polluting the skies.

It is not just the environment of “Mother Earth� that many people are worried about. Anyone who has lived in highly congested areas, and has had to commute with their car, knows that traffic fumes can become overwhelming on some days. Even sitting behind another car in the bank drive-through is enough to make one wonder how much their lungs and blood can take. Looking back at the EPA standards for what is an acceptable amount of carbon monoxide and methane (if any), we have to ask ourselves if we are not so wrapped up in our world that we will sit and breathe poison on a daily basis. The EPA is trying to tell us that most cars, trucks and other vehicles account for a third of America's total air pollution. With links to the causes of cancer and other diseases still being studied, it still seems like a good idea to not only be concerned about the effects of pollution on our outside environment, but the internal, human one as well. Hybrid cars are paving the way for vehicles which lets us keep our lifestyles, without dumping tons of toxic gasses into our bodies.

According to EPA standards, having a vehicle which gets 25 mpg instead of 20 mpg cuts the amount of carbon dioxide being pumped into the sky by 10 tons. The Environmental Protection Agency has its fingers in every industry, and is trying to measure and relay results back to those industries, the effects they are having on the environment and all living things. As technology gets better, the excuses for driving inefficient vehicles are becoming fewer and fewer. Although the EPA may not have all the answers yet, it does not hurt to take their information seriously. Along with their knowledge about the chemicals, which most automobiles put into the air, and the effect this has on our world and bodies, a hybrid vehicle should be considered an option by more and more people.