Hybrid Car Review

Or at least, they should love them. But unfortunately, because of 'An Inconvenient Truth,' right wingers everywhere seem to think hybrids should be branded as evil.

Recently, a student editorial brought up the false comparison of a Hummer vs a Prius that was done by CNW Marketing in their Dust to Dust study. The study claims that if you take into account the entire energy used in the lifetime of a Prius and compare it to a Hummer, the Prius will lose out.

Too bad the study got it wrong. As a small example of what they did wrong, they calculated the lifetime of a Prius to be 100,000 miles, while a Hummer got 300,000 miles. The Prius is also based on newer technologies, while the H3 is based on older tech. So, the R&D costs of a Prius are, of course, set higher. If the study was done next year, the next generation Prius will have been simplified just as the Hummer has been over the years.

At the end of the day, there are plenty of places where this study was dissected and proven wrong. That's not what this post is about.

Unfortunately for everyone, the editorial piece was picked up by many right wing blogs with an axe to grind. They have looked at it and used it as an excuse to attack hybrid technology, because it fits in with bashing Al Gore and his politics. I wish they would pick a different subject.

Republicans Love Hybrids

If there was one cause I believe all Republicans should get behind it is reducing our foreign oil dependency. Hybrid cars, if they are built for fuel economy, help us do just that.

Are hybrid cars the answer to all our prayers? No, of course not. But they do help.

Not only are they a great bridge between today and ever so talked about fuel cell/hydrogen technology that seems to always be around the corner, by driving a hybrid, people use less gas than they would have. By using less gas, they are making an immediate impact on our oil import problem.

Another solution would be to drive smaller cars, but that just isn't practical for most people. It would be great if everyone had one car for commuting and one car for 'family outings' when more space is needed. But the truth is we don't have that situation.

Instead, by putting in hybrid technology into larger vehicles, we can go farther for less no matter which size car we need or want. Need a family sedan, pick the Prius. Bigger than the Corolla or the Yaris or the Aveo, you can still get great mileage without going so small. Want an SUV, but are afraid of the fuel bills? Pick the Escape Hybrid or Highlander Hybrid. Again, you'll pay less at the pump and you can send a message to the carmakers that fuel economy is just as important to you as those few souls who can get by with a mini.

No, I'd say the Republicans have it all wrong. They should love hybrids and start promoting them, not trashing them. But even if you don't want to, please stop using the dust to dust study by CNW Marketing. Find something a little more factual.