While I am pleased to hear about reducing carbon footprints and all that other politically-correct BS, I still remain skeptical. What is the honest overall "footprint" when the batteries are factored into the equation?
I read an article in a well-respected car magazine that said the total 'carbon footprint' of a Toyota Prius was between a Chevy Tahoe and a Hummer H2 - primarily because of the batteries and the higher than normal usage of plastics (which come from petroleum-based materials).
As for using hybrids for law enforcement purposes, I am even more skeptical. As a former deputy sheriff, I know what police cruisers do and how they are typically driven. That hybrid drive train won't do much to save fuel when there is a ton of idling involved -- and the flashing lights & HVAC systems are left on during the entire shift. Additionally, how efficient is a hybrid system during "high speed" or pursuit driving?
Is that drivetrain sturdy enough to put up with the rigors of patrol duty? Ford's Crown Victoria - especially with the severe duty police or taxi package - is probably a bit "tougher" than any hybrid from Toyota, but I guess the performance and durability will now be tested in real life scenarios.
While I am pleased to hear about reducing carbon footprints and all that other politically-correct BS, I still remain skeptical. What is the honest overall "footprint" when the batteries are factored into the equation?
When will they get it!:bash: A few months ago I stumbled upon an article that compared a H2 to a Prius. If you ran a H2 300,000 miles and a Prius 100,000 miles you had the same total environmental footprint when factoring pulling from the ore ground through the end-of-life disposal. No, that is not a typo, 100k vs. 300k.
This carbon stuff is going to turn us into a third world craphole where out of desperation and ingenuity we will do terrible things to the planet. A properly catalyzed gas motor produces absolutely minimal toxins, some CO2 and some H2O.
The eruption of mount St Helens put more Nitrogen Oxide, Sulfur, Carbon Monoxide and CO2 than man has put in since before the beginning of the industrial revolution. This is amazing when you consider how good at making war we've become over the last 150years. You'd think all the bombings and uncontrolled burns etc would add up to something! To think we matter when acting as we are (USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia etc) is bizarre. It's all about the money...
I love the world, I don't believe in clear cutting, dumping toxins, burning dirty coal without scrubbing the exhaust, overfishing or any over harvesting. Once again the true and best stewards are the enthusiasts who live and love the great outdoors. (I'm not talking about greedy stupid people who are in it for the highest, short-term profit possible).
Yep, that's it! Unfreakin' believable what sheep people can be...:bash:
Didn't Churchill have some great quote about Americans? Something like we always do the right thing, we just have to try everything else first...
:cheers:
