Most auto buyers are sold on the idea that hybrid cars are more environment friendly than large vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs. But a recent study conducted by CNW Marketing Research Inc. shows that even a Hummer is more environment friendly than hybrid cars.
The study is very complex that it took the firm two years to complete it. What the study focused on is the amount of energy required by vehicles in their entire lifetime. The company studied the energy needed to produce vehicles and during their service lives and until the disposal.
The study is so complex since a single vehicle has thousands of parts and the study gathered data regarding how much energy was spent in the manufacturing of each auto part. And the result shows that the so-called green cars are actually not as environment friendly as they appear.
CNW reported the result of their study in terms of “US dollars per lifetime mile”. This means that energy required by vehicles in their entire lifetime converted into US dollars.
According to the report, the average of 22 models of economy cars they have studied is $0.85. For six models of pickup trucks which include Ford F-Series, the average is $2.58. The disparity between the two segments is not a surprise since larger cars needed larger auto parts thus more energy is used to produce these components.
The study found out that the average for 14 models of small to midsize SUVs is $2.07, lower than the energy requirements of pickup trucks. For nine models of full sized SUVs, CNW reported the average to be at $3.98. And then, surprisingly, for ten models of hybrid vehicles, the average is computed to be at $3.65.
From the figures, one will realize that even SUVs are being bashed for their gas-guzzling abilities, they are more eco-friendly than hybrids. Aside from SUVs, luxury cars are also being frowned-at by environmentalists. But according to the study several luxury cars are greener in comparison to hybrid cars.
Compared to the $3.65 average for the ten hybrid cars, the Lincoln Town Car’s $2.66 is significantly lower. Other luxury cars greener than hybrids are the Acura RL with $2.80; Cadillac CTS with $3.19; BMW 5 Series with $3.19; Mercedes-Benz E Class with $3.48; Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series with $3.49; Cadillac STS with $3.56; and the Cadillac DTS with $3.65.
The reason pointed out for the high energy requirement of hybrid cars is their complexity. These vehicles, aside from having internal combustion engines are also equipped with electric motors and battery packs. The batteries are actually the question mark in the case of hybrids. The current battery packs used by hybrids are nickel-metal hydride ones. Nickel mining in Canada has damaged the environment already. Aside from the mining process, the nickel is transported from one point of the globe to another until it reaches Japan where Prius units are assembled. In the shipping alone, the energy requirement balloons because of the fuel used by container ships and locomotive used.
What this means is that even a large vehicle such as the Isuzu Amigo with its Isuzu Amigo radiator can be considered more environment friendly than hybrid vehicles. The result of the study will surely open the eyes of the general public as to the true nature of hybrid cars. While hybrid cars are apparently not the perfect solution, automakers are still involved in the development of other technologies which will be more eco-friendly tan hybrid technology.
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
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