Why Hybrid Cars Are Beneficial to the Environment

You hear about hybrid cars on the news, on commercials, in chat rooms, from your friends. You know that hybrid cars are beneficial to the environment. But do you really know why? Here are the top 4 reasons hybrid cars are beneficial to the environment:

Reduction in gas usage- Two types of energy production are used to power hybrid vehicles: energy derived from oil and also energy derived from electricity. Since hybrids are only partially dependent on gas for power, they use less of it over a longer amount of time. This helps to not only save the environment with less emissions (see below) but also helps reduce the depletion of the world’s natural oil resources.

Reduction of emissions- Global warming is due in large part to amount of toxic gases that are pumped into the earth’s atmosphere on a daily basis. Many of these toxic gases, like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons come from internal-combustion engines that burn fuel to power consumer and commercial vehicles and other mechanisms. Hybrids burn less fuel than conventional vehicles, automatically reducing the amount of emissions a hybrid will produce over the life of the vehicle. This goes a long way in helping to reduce the threat of further damage to the earth’s ozone.

Production and use of electricity-In addition to using gasoline, hybrid vehicles are also partially dependent on electricity to run the vehicle. Many hybrids create their own electricity during lag times, like coasting and braking. Electricity is not harmful to the environment, making this component of the hybrids even more appealing to the environmentally aware. Additionally, because most hybrids have the ability to generate their own electricity there is less need to expend environmental resources to build and maintain charging stations.

Reduction of other pollutants and toxic wastes- Hybrid cars do offer an effective intermediary solution to the problems surrounding greenhouse gases and Global Warming. However, they also help with another type of pollution that most of us do not think about when considering the benefits of hybrid cars: Smog and waste. If you live near a large city you understand the effects that smog can have on the general health and welfare of the public. During times of inversion, smog can cause critical detriment to the health of every citizen, landing some in the hospital or on bed rest. Hybrids do not release as much smoke or as many pollutants into the air, effectively reducing the amount of smog in a city. Additionally, hybrid cars do not require oil changes as frequently as conventional cars, reducing the amounts of toxic wastes that must be cleaned and recycled, or carefully disposed of.

Remember, hybrid cars are only a temporary solution to the problems we face due to greenhouse gases and Global Warming. While hybrid vehicles emit less poisons into the ozone, they still use an internal-combustion engine and still emit harmful greenhouse gases into the environment.