After completing the life cycle cost work- sheet you should have some idea of how much CO2
you are releasing into the at- mosphere by driving your vehicle. Making good consumer choices
can have a huge im- pact on the health of the environment and the direction our manufacturing
economy takes. With the number of cars on the roads of the United States explain if it would be
more cost efficient to by a hybrid vehicle or a high gas mileage vehicle? (Remember we are
looking at life cycle cost) What would be the best vehicle for the envi ronment? Explain why you
reached these conclusions.
Solution
Hybrid cars are the fuel efficient cars that have 2 motors, an electric motor and a gasoline
powered motor. The benefits of driving a hybrid is that it is environment friendly. When driving
at slow speeds only the electric motor works and no exhaust is produced and if you are really in a
rush and drive fast then the electric motor switches off and gasoline powered motor starts, giving
you the speed you need and charging the batteries for the electric motor. This gives the added
benefit that a person doesn\'t require to plug the car in sockets for charging every now and then.
If you have to decide only keeping environment in mind then this is the best option available.
But, this new technology comes at a price and is very complicated also. Hybrid cars have 2
motors, a heavy battery and an ancillary system to manage them. The computer that control have
become reliable over time but still are prone to fail. Hybrid cars naturally cost more than normal
high mileage cars and their maintainance cost is also more.
Although things are expected to be better with better understanding of technology, and it is
hoped that in future hybrid cars will be much more efficient and cost saving then they are today.
Till then, according to me a high gas mileage vehicle is certainly a better choice. Although it
really depends on person to person. If you only thinking about environment then hybrid cars are
the best option as already mentioned above.
you are releasing into the at- mosphere by driving your vehicle. Making good consumer choices
can have a huge im- pact on the health of the environment and the direction our manufacturing
economy takes. With the number of cars on the roads of the United States explain if it would be
more cost efficient to by a hybrid vehicle or a high gas mileage vehicle? (Remember we are
looking at life cycle cost) What would be the best vehicle for the envi ronment? Explain why you
reached these conclusions.
Solution
Hybrid cars are the fuel efficient cars that have 2 motors, an electric motor and a gasoline
powered motor. The benefits of driving a hybrid is that it is environment friendly. When driving
at slow speeds only the electric motor works and no exhaust is produced and if you are really in a
rush and drive fast then the electric motor switches off and gasoline powered motor starts, giving
you the speed you need and charging the batteries for the electric motor. This gives the added
benefit that a person doesn\'t require to plug the car in sockets for charging every now and then.
If you have to decide only keeping environment in mind then this is the best option available.
But, this new technology comes at a price and is very complicated also. Hybrid cars have 2
motors, a heavy battery and an ancillary system to manage them. The computer that control have
become reliable over time but still are prone to fail. Hybrid cars naturally cost more than normal
high mileage cars and their maintainance cost is also more.
Although things are expected to be better with better understanding of technology, and it is
hoped that in future hybrid cars will be much more efficient and cost saving then they are today.
Till then, according to me a high gas mileage vehicle is certainly a better choice. Although it
really depends on person to person. If you only thinking about environment then hybrid cars are
the best option as already mentioned above.
