environmental benefits of hybrid cars

by: Marcos Teixeira

Gasoline, when burned, produces huge amounts of carbon dioxide, the major gas causing global warming. Hybrids which are not totally dependent on gasoline as source of power have therefore reduced emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and other particulate matters. A concrete example is the best selling Toyota Prius which only consumes 4 liters of petrol to run 100 kilometers. The Prius emits approximately 104 grams of carbon dioxide each kilometer.

Auto emission is 1/3 of the world's total carbon dioxide emission, bigger than the emissions produced by homes and factories all over the world. If the emissions of these pollutants are not reduced, mankind will face the terrifying effects of global warming sooner than we may be prepared for. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere deplete the ozone layer, the earth's protection from too much heat from the sun. Some of the effects of global warming are melting of the ice from the arctic region causing floods, death of plants and animals sensitive to too much heat, other regions in the United States and all over the world will have prolonged summer and shorter winter days which can cause human death.

Another environmental hybrid car pro is the reduced exploit of non renewable sources of energy like gasoline and other petroleum products. These products are generated from fossil fuels and are not recyclable. With less gasoline use, these natural resources can be conserved and can serve its other purposes aside from being used as automotive fuels. Every day, the United States consumes a total of 8.2 million barrels to drive cars and light trucks. If demand for oil is reduced, the country will also be less dependent on petroleum import to support their everyday driving needs.

Preference, trend, and price may not just be the considerations a car shopper should make when buying a vehicle. Increase fuel efficiency will save tons of greenhouse gases leading to fewer floods, lesser death of plants and animals, and other effects of unusual climate changes. Aside from these environmental effects, driving a hybrid can save dollars and at the same time decrease hassle visits to gasoline stations.