Why I Don't Drive a Hybrid Car

I read an interesting article the other day titled "Why I don't drive a Hybrid Car" written by an author who writes car reviews for the New York Times. The author is Jim Motavalli and he is also the editor of E/ The Environmental Magazine, and he goes on to state that he does NOT drive a hybrid car but in fact drives a Honda Fit, a good 'ol gasoline powered vehicle. Jim's logic is that his Honda Fit is much 'greener' than many luxury hybrids, especially the SUV hybrids. It is true that the Honda Fit ranks higher on the green scale than a Ford Escape Hybrid, and that the word Hybrid does not mean does not mean the car is green, but I think Jim's thinking is a little off, even if his heart is in the right place.

It's the owners of some hybrid SUV's and the bigger hybrid cars that need to take a good hard look at their needs. Just because your car has a hybrid badge on it doesn't mean you can cash your Save-the-World check just yet. The automakers would like you to believe any hybrid vehicle is better than a full gasoline vehicle but that just isn't the case. I believe that's what Jim's argument is, and on that point I fully agree with him. You just can't buy a Hybrid SUV when a small gasoline powered car is even better on fuel. The fact is people need to stop driving SUV's to work, to pick up the kids, and to Starbucks for their non-fat-soy-extra-hot-mocha-latte beverage, even if they are hybrids. For those that do need a big vehicle, one to hold climbing gear and kayaks, and to be driven down logging roads to get to that sweet camping spot for the weekend, then sure, a hybrid SUV is probably a good choice. Because you'd be driving a full gasoline SUV in those situations if not, right? So assuming we are talking about the driver that sticks to paved roads, why not buy a small or mid-sized hybrid and get the best fuel economy? A Toyota Prius is even better then a Honda Fit on the ratings scale in fuel economy and emissions, so I'm wondering why Jim doesn't drive a Prius, heck, it's even bigger than a Fit (think growing family here). But I'm not advocating Jim rush out and trade in his Fit for a Prius because that brings up another problem with the rush to get a hybrid. Think of all the material that goes in to a new car. A new car that had to be twisted, turned, bent, and built in to that vehicle taking up valuable energy and resources (especially water) to produce. Every new car produced and put on the road is another huge energy drain on the planet.

So drive your current gas guzzler or buy a new hybrid? I'm not pretending to know the answers because I don't, but my opinion is that if you already own a vehicle, I say drive it until it croaks. Then think long and hard about your driving needs and choose a hybrid that suits you best. Odds are you won't need a hybrid SUV and that a hybrid Toyota Prius with some roof racks is more then enough car for you. So is the reason why I don't drive a hybrid because I'm waiting for my gas car to croak? No, my vehicle is even better than a hybrid. It has zero emissions, needs no fuel, and is pretty damn near silent. I ride a bicycle.