Everyone one in my liberal, environmentally conscious community wants a Prius. The only reason Mr. Bookworm didn’t buy one when his last car gave up the ghost was because it was too small for him to sit comfortably. The first of our neighbors to get the Prius was congratulated by everyone for “doing the right thing” car-wise. Except that maybe he didn’t.
It turns out that building the Prius is extremely damaging to the environment and, with it’s short lifespan (about 100,000 miles), it therefore becomes more environmentally costly to run per mile than a big Chevy SUV, which has a 150,000 to 200,000 mile lifespan. It’s also not as fuel efficient as once thought, although it still does get more miles per gallon than the next car (not much more, but more).
The difference, I guess, is that the Prius’ environmental damage is concentrated in a few discrete areas — where the batteries are built and where they’re thrown away — while the SUV makes pollution (less pollution, but still pollution) everywhere it goes. More than anything, this is an excellent reminder that there are no cheap and easy solutions, and that the greenies would do better to look for true alternatives, rather than just touting expensive shortcuts.
Hat tip: Cheat-Seeking Missiles
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Yes, but it isn’t about what it is. It’s about what it seems to be that counts.
It seems more like a luxury symbol, a social status rather than about something greater than the self.
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I suspect the same back asswards logic applies to wind power. Windmills, and water driven mills, were an awesome technical innovation — during the Middle Ages. For 21st century energy needs I say go nukes.
Lulu, well said.
In my ultra liberal world, no one really wants to give up anything that actually changes their lifestyle- just drive by any of the suburban high schools at dismissal time, the buses are empty but drivers and pedestrians have to dodge the sweet sixteens/seventeens driving better cars than I have ever had!
Buy a car that lets you do what you’ve always done makes everyone feel virtuous, I guess.
My buddy’s diesel Jetta gets over 40 mpg. Combined with less complexity, established technology, and being far cheaper to build, I can’t see why anyone would choose anything else.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/diesel.html
The worst mileage I’ve had with my standard transmission, diesel Jetta is 42 mpg in the middle of winter doing mixed city, suburban type driving. The best was 56 mpg on a 500 mile highway trip. I probably average 45-46 mpg year round. Course I don’t get the same sense of moral superiority that Pious owners have what with spewing diesel fumes and all.
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