| Volume 12 | No. 4 | Fall 2010 |
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Dialogue
What is the environmental impact of the batteries in hybrid vehicles compared with those in conventional vehicles? |
In terms of global warming, a recent study by Argonne National Laboratory found that manufacturing a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle (including the large battery pack) generates slightly more heat-trapping emissions than a conventional gasoline-only vehicle. However, global warming emissions generated while the vehicle is being driven are notably lower for an efficient hybrid than a conventional vehicle, far outweighing the difference in manufacturing-related emissions.
For example, a number of hybrids achieve a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of more than 40 miles per gallon—better than many conventional cars currently on the road (which average less than 30 miles per gallon). Over the typical 150,000-mile life span of a vehicle, these savings in both gasoline consumption and heat-trapping emissions really add up.
Lastly, in terms of hazardous waste, most hybrids on the road today use nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which are less toxic than the lead-acid batteries used in conventional vehicles. And some of the latest advanced-technology vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, are starting to use lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries, the raw materials for which have even less environmental impact and greater energy-storage capacity than those in NiMH batteries. All of these factors combine to make hybrids a clear winner for consumers concerned about making the safest environmental choice.
UCS is continuing to monitor the latest developments in advanced vehicle technologies; to learn more, visit our website at www.HybridCenter.org.
To address the global warming crisis effectively, we need a comprehensive and complementary set of strategies to reduce heat-trapping emissions. We must consider not only the practical costs of new technological “fixes” but also their potential for serious side effects or unintended consequences. To learn more about global warming science and solutions, read our UCS Global Warming FAQ.
Also in this issue of Earthwise:
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This Scientist Is a Man of Action
