[horselover]

As per the thread I just posted about the cost of hybrids, I wonder who really needs them in this day and age.

Who will get the most benefit out of a hybrid? Someone who drives a lot or someone who doesn't? Someone who does a lot of city driving or someone who does a lot of highway driving?

I contemplate this all the time, despite knowing that I can't afford to buy a hybrid.

I do a lot of city driving, in a lot of stop and go traffic most of the time.

I never usually drive faster than 60KM/HR in the city, and rarely drive on the highway.

My lowest speed in the city is usually a crawl, no less than 10KM/HR., and that's in bad traffic.

But here's the thing. When I drive too and from work, I'm driving in excess of 70KMs per day. In the summer, I do that upwards of 7 days a week, weather permitting.

In the winter, I don't do as much driving since it doesn't snow all the time.

So would it be reasonable for me to buy a hybrid when I can afford to buy a new truck in the future?

What about for others who drive a lot? Is it more worth it for them to buy a hybrid? If the battery only holds a charge for so long, and runs out of charge faster while on the highway, then is it worth it?
But on the opposite side of the coin, maybe it is if it saves you more on a gas fillup.

For example, in the summer we drove to Ohio and back on vacation. I think we did about 800km's on a tank. If a hybrid is so good, maybe we could have done the trip on one tank.

I would like to experiment with that one day if I can maybe rent a hybrid truck for a trip. Actually it should really be a van to do the comparison, or travel the same distance in both a regular and hybrid truck of the same model.

So what do you think?

[GreenTomThumb]

Buy a bike. Much better than any car if you're constantly doing city driving. If the distance is to far, take the bus or subway! If everything is accessible by public transportation, then you probably should not have a car. Just my thoughts.

[horselover]

For me, a car is my work. Try taking a lawnmower or a snowblower on the subway, lol, it's not possible.

[BethT]

i think hybrids are great, but i think for people who drive in the city, we need to push for full electric cars, that run on a system in the city, whether it be like streetcar tracks connect and charge esque, or park and charge locations,

and hybrids for people who need to travel between cities. something like that.

[horselover]

That's a good idea. But with electric cars wouldn't it cost more for electricity if we charge our cars on the streets? Maybe there could be solar powered charging stations.

[BethT]

i like that idea, solar powered charge stations would make alot of sense.

I also saw something on the tv, that showed a battery replacement center, that looked like a drive thru car wash, and would take your used battery and give you a fresh one. I think its a great idea... not sure how it would work, if you belong to a battery program, and they dont have enough stations or somethin?

[ZammaJannan]

the hybrid is best for city driving.. but you don't see as much savings on the highway. Personally, I can't afford a new car so I won't be getting one until they reach the used car market... and for those who say buy a bike or use public transit... yes this is best ideally, but that won't do it all. I mean have you ever tried to haul groceries for a family of five on a bicycle? You still need a vehicle, even if you do supplement with other transportation when appropriate.

[horselover]

I agree, it's like me trying to work on a bike or get my tools to a job on a bus, it's just not possible to do at all.

After my accident though, I'm fearful of not being a driver, not having control over the vehicle I'm in, so I've vowed never to do anything but drive.

[Twiceshy]

Originally Posted by GreenTomThumb

Buy a bike. Much better than any car if you're constantly doing city driving. If the distance is to far, take the bus or subway! If everything is accessible by public transportation, then you probably should not have a car. Just my thoughts.

The problem with bikes in the city is that you are exposed. The safety of a container around you helps prevent your breathing fumes for cars and buses, and protects you during collisions more than being on a bike does.

Hybrids or electric cars are a better choice for city travel.

[Simon47]

Several of you have made the excellent point in these discussions. Practical Limitations. I venture to say that it is at the heart of every aspect of change in our society today. For one reason or another; many of us cannot effect the changes we would like. It is simply a fact that while the discussions of necessary change have been around since the industrial revolution/evolution began there has only recently become an urgency to it on a mass scale. It speaks to me of a burgeoning change in the mass consiousness but these things take time that we perceive we have run out of. Perhaps it is too late but that will only be know as a retrospective in our grandchildrens lifetime.

The dilemma is that the society we have created is at odds with the world it depends upon. We have come so far down a certain road in such a very short period of time and the entire system is dependant upon ever increasing consumption. If you listen to the debates over the recession you will hear the message that spending is our only way to achieve sustainable economies. The new world order economics is in fact; oxymoronic. It is the old order with new faces and more expensive marketing. Is the hybrid just another shot in the arm for the automotive industry and does it truly represent an improvement given the toxins committed to pollutants during their manufacture, planned obsolescence and what of studies that say that hybrid users actually consume more energy by using the vehicle more.


Sim

It is a large debate and a question of weighing the alternatives and true facts.