If you feel like you are doing your part by purchasing hybrid cars, think again. New research has found that hybrid vehicles are putting out 120g of CO2 per KM driven. That is the same as normal cars.
While in test environments, hybrid cars are able to get some impressive results, 44g of CO2 per KM, the real world is quite different. The biggest problem is that most hybrid owners do not actually charge their cars.
Unfortunately, most countries do not have recharge stations available like traditional gas stations, thus, when you are taking a trip, you end up burning fossil fuel.
What the Study Looked At
The study analyzed 20,000 plugin-in hybrids across Europe. They recorded the mileage and fuel consumption.
These cars have very short ranges as a pure electric vehicle. This range can be anywhere between 20 and 40 miles. In some cases, this does not even cover a trip to work and back.
Thus, the reality of the situation is that you will be relying on fossil fuel the majority of the time, and the large sample size confirms this.
Another huge difference from the laboratory tests is the driver’s habits.
For example, if you wake up early for work, it will be colder in the morning. Many of these vehicles are designed for the petrol/diesel engine to kick on to start the car in these circumstances. Another example is when you drive aggressively, the electric engine cannot handle it.
Thus, hybrid cars are likely to have very similar emissions to normal cars.
Still Important for Advancements
While hybrid cars may not be as environmentally friendly as once thought, they are still an important stepping stone for car manufacturers. It gives them an opportunity to improve their electric motors.
As many nations get closer to banning traditional fossil fuel vehicles, car manufacturers will have no choice but to switch production to solely electric.
You’re barking up the wrong tree and thus incorrect. In rural areas of the United States where there are literally hundreds of thousands of miles of roads without gas stations much less charging stations, 100% electric fleets (cars or tractor trailers) will NEVER work. Hybrids are the answer because when you run our of charge, you have a gas backup. Far better than being stranded or sitting at a charging station for hours on end.
They just need to put larger batteries in the hybrids and improve technology for longer range, that’s all. As for charging stations, the answer is battery swap stations and a global (universal) battery pack that ALL manufacturers worldwide adopt so that all stations have the same exact parts regardless of auto manufacturer.