| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 2:06:47 PM
So, I was listening to the radio on the way to the store, and they were talking about hybrid and electric cars, and how much "better" they are for the environment.
While hybrids and electric models may be cheaper in the short run at the pump, the drawback is the perishable battery that needs to be replaced every 5 years or so (several thousand dollars.)
As it turns out, taking into account the manufacturing of the cars and batteries, you will have to drive the car 85,000 miles before the lack of car emissions, equals the carbon footprint of a normal, gas fueled car (and by then, you'll be buying a new battery, rather than getting ahead.)
As it turns out, BUILDING these hybrids is that much worse for the planet than ordinary fuel emissions. Wow.
And that's the last time I take guff off of some liberal college student for my Chrysler.
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| AmethystRose |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 08:17:25 AM
Well, nothing is perfect. DH and I did our weekly errends through horse and buggy country yesterday. Cars don't leave "deposits" on the roads. |
| goneriding |
Posted - Jun 15 2011 : 6:18:21 PM
I don't 'get' the hybrids although my cousin has one. We actually got 5 adults in that little tin can! I didn't feel safe though.
The funniest thing I've seen with them is one the road, there was the motherofallRVs belching massive amounts of black smoke (assuming it was a diesel engine) and towing a Smart Car! I wished I had gotten a picture.
I'm all for going back to horse and buggy, except for my work, of course! There are all sorts of solar things now, you can even keep your car battery charged with a solar panel.
For some 'venting'-type of entertainment, please read my blog, http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com . Now with pictures!!
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| plantcarazy |
Posted - Jun 15 2011 : 3:49:17 PM
ahh....I agree solar and wind are wonderful, but you are back to your same dilemma with battery usage with solar just like in the cars (perishable batteries)......the problem I feel we face now is that solar is the source we should try to harness BUT the golden egg that we need to discover is how to store it in a more efficient, and cleaner way (ie. without the use of the batteries).
In the meantime, I recommend a bicycle, better planning instead of the 'quick errand to the store', good ol' foot power, and just getting used to the fact that a lot of people need to change their lifestyles to become less energy users......
......Born again Farmgirl |
| vmfein |
Posted - Jun 15 2011 : 2:58:40 PM
Several of my neighbors have solar power and in some of the Amish stores they use solar as well.
Farmgirl Sister #2619 |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Jun 15 2011 : 10:09:17 AM
The thing with commercial energy, is that there is no efficient way to save electricity that is generated in nuclear power for later. The electricity is flowing out all the time, sometimes it flows heavy, sometimes a trickle. Factories and large business are billed for their electric on a sliding scale based on how much power is in the system, while residential customers (like me) are charged the peak rate all the time.
More than half my bill goes to fees like "rural customer surcharge" (they charge me more for being out of the city limits, although I am only 5 miles away from the nuclear power plant where all the power for arizona and southern california comes from.
Solar however as I understand it DOES charge a battery type system, so it's good to see the corporate solar fields go in, and I'd be itching to get some panels myself if I was able.
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Jun 15 2011 : 04:08:09 AM
Can you say bicycle?
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Happy to be a "Raggedy Ann" in a Barbie World!
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
| Madelena |
Posted - Jun 15 2011 : 03:22:50 AM
Man, I think the government's think tanks need more gas in their tanks !
Oil companies have leases, but no permits to drill. Closing coal mines. Subsidizing ethenol - ever notice the recent failures in the corn crops?? Mother nature does not guarantee harvests. Germany is goinig to close their nuclear plants. Solar is being subsidized, but who can heat or cool a house with solar?....
Maybe we should all do an internship in Amish country real soon. We MAY have to hitch old Nellie to the sleigh [and the plough] before they figure it out in DC. It's so laughable that its actually sad.
Mary
Farm Sister 3153
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| FarmDream |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 10:53:54 PM
And speaking of burning coal to make electricity, Obama has signed for 600 coal mines to close. That will increase the cost of charging up the car. Unless it is subsidised, it will cost the same if not more than a car run on gasoline.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 9:43:13 PM
There is Nini, but it's pretty hard to convince people to start commuting via horse and buggy! lol
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 8:52:47 PM
My husband said that the problem with these cars is not so much that the batteries need to be replaced as it is that there is a problem with how to dispose of them (the batteries). He said in the long run, that's the real danger to the environment. There just has to be a better way...
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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| Madelena |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 6:36:40 PM
Yup, I agree on the hybrid cars.. Has anyone considered the cost of burning fossil fuels -usually coal- to make the electricity that will be sucked up by recharging these batteries; what WILL that cost?? Do you think the environmentalists actually looked at the cost to the environment of a vehicle that uses two fossil fuels to work? Go figure. Progress. |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 6:30:28 PM
Toyota Prius is the only one that does not need the battery replaced. I worked in service at Toyota for over 5 years and saw Prius' coming in with 300k miles on them and the original hybrid battery. They started selling them in the US in 1998. I do agree with you on all the other hybrids, they do need hybrid battery replacements.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Happy to be a "Raggedy Ann" in a Barbie World!
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
| Catherine L |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 3:26:07 PM
Go get them, Jen.
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428 http://www.my-fairhaven.blogspot.com/
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