[Lockbox]

I love this comment from the article:

patriot wrote: Cobalt,much needed ingredient for EV batteries.Zambia and The Congo are two countries in Africa blessed with this element.Does toyota or any other EV or hybrid producing car company care that their vehicle purchase helps pay for murder and enviromental ruin in Africa.People who buy these things like to think they are GREEN,helping the environoment.Who's environment are they helping?Certainly not AFRICA'S

[mo]

for th ecrowd that buys those things..it ain’t about “being green” as much as it is about “feeling good” about themselves.

[ClearCase_guy]

These initiatives seem to do a lot of damage — all in a vast effort to limit carbon dioxide, which is a harmless (even beneficial) substance. Carbon is a boondoggle.

[NavyCanDo]

Like I tell my brother who bought a Prius, if you are a man and you bought one of these, ahhhh you look kinda — well let me say the military is now open for you.

[reagan_fanatic]

But but...driving a Pious makes you feel good.

[Haiku Guy]

Mining does help the economy of Zambia and the Congo, no doubt.

Of course, these Kleptocracies have such a screwed up economic system, it is hard to be confident that this business is helping the average Joe.

[Piers-the-Ploughman]

i bought the car because it has an above average record of reliability, ave-above average features, great gas mileage, and expect to keep it for 200,000 miles, like i have 2 of the last 3cars i bought. I really dont care about the “green aspect” at all.

[The Great RJ]

My wife bought a Mercury Mariner Hybrid solely because of gas mileage. On a recent 1,000 mile trip we averaged 31 mpg and in her daily commute she typically gets 36 mpg. Her mileage is quite comparable to my Mazda 3, but offers a whole lot more room and comfort. She recently looked at more luxury hybrids was surprised that the mileage in many was little better than the standard models. Do the hybrids have problems...sure. For example gas mileage drops off about 20% in temperatures below freezing. The question of what happens when the hybrid battery needs replacement or ultimately disposal is another issue. However the technology does work, delivers better than average gas mileage and in nearly 60,000 miles has been trouble free.

[Publius6961]

I've saved roughly $8000 on gas alone since 2003.
And no, it won't cost me $20k when it's time to junk it.
Also, no, it does not cost 10k to replace the main drive batteries. No, my car has never run away from me.

I don't wear sandals, eat tofu, and couldn't care less if you drive a hybrid or not, for any reason whatsoever.