The Prius, and other hybrid vehicles, are touted by many as the ultimate statement of your commitment to the environment. But how much research did these enlightened consumers do before plopping $25,000+ down.
Have they researched how long it will take to recoup the cost of the car? Some hybrids recoup their value within 2 years, while others take 7 years before they become a profitable choice. And if they are paying a finance charge on your car payment for this beast, it might take longer.
What about the battery? Have they considered what happens to the disposed the toxic battery? Some are made of lithium while others are nickel metal hydride. Batteries commonly contain hazardous elements such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, which when incinerated or landfilled, present a risk to the environment and human health.Would the gas emissions of a Hummer be less toxic than the decomposing toxic batteries of a green car? CNW Marketing thinks so, as does the Washington Post (June 2, 2009): "CNW Marketing rates cars on the combined energy needed “to plan, build, sell, drive and dispose of a vehicle from initial concept to scrappage.” A Prius costs $2.87 per lifetime mile. By comparison, an H3 Hummer costs $2.07 per lifetime mile. Then there will be the problem of disposing of the used batteries."
And have they factored in the cost of replacing their battery? They cost around $2500 per battery (new).
Don't get me wrong: green can be great and we should all be as responsible as we can with the environment. But don't be a lemming! Just because a company says "GREEN" don't believe them without researching it for yourself. Even the FTC thinks the green marketing has gotten out of hand, and issued a Green Guide that holds the marketers claims to standards.
What Can You Do?:
Be a smart shopper and use your wonderful mind that God gave you.
Read the FTC Green Guide
Don't be gullible!
Have they researched how long it will take to recoup the cost of the car? Some hybrids recoup their value within 2 years, while others take 7 years before they become a profitable choice. And if they are paying a finance charge on your car payment for this beast, it might take longer. What about the battery? Have they considered what happens to the disposed the toxic battery? Some are made of lithium while others are nickel metal hydride. Batteries commonly contain hazardous elements such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, which when incinerated or landfilled, present a risk to the environment and human health.Would the gas emissions of a Hummer be less toxic than the decomposing toxic batteries of a green car? CNW Marketing thinks so, as does the Washington Post (June 2, 2009): "CNW Marketing rates cars on the combined energy needed “to plan, build, sell, drive and dispose of a vehicle from initial concept to scrappage.” A Prius costs $2.87 per lifetime mile. By comparison, an H3 Hummer costs $2.07 per lifetime mile. Then there will be the problem of disposing of the used batteries."
And have they factored in the cost of replacing their battery? They cost around $2500 per battery (new).
Don't get me wrong: green can be great and we should all be as responsible as we can with the environment. But don't be a lemming! Just because a company says "GREEN" don't believe them without researching it for yourself. Even the FTC thinks the green marketing has gotten out of hand, and issued a Green Guide that holds the marketers claims to standards.
What Can You Do?:
Be a smart shopper and use your wonderful mind that God gave you.
Read the FTC Green Guide
Don't be gullible!
1 comment:
I appreciate this post; thank you!
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