Are hybrid cars really better for the environment ?

           One of the most important advantages of a hybrid to the environment is its fuel efficiency.  A typical hybrid car uses 48 to 60 mpg. It is approximately twenty to thirty five percent better than a gasoline powered vehicle. The fuel efficiency in a hybrid car comes from improvements in smaller engine, weight reduction, improved aero dynamic design, and less powerful gas engine. The fuel efficiency improvement in a hybrid car is no doubt helpful to environment. When you burn a gallon of gasoline which generally weight over six pounds, it will combines with the oxygen and produce over twenty pounds of carbon dioxide.

            Nevertheless, hybrid car still produce battery toxicity to the environment. Nickel metal hydride batteries in hybrid car’s batteries are still major pollutants to the environment. Furthermore, the cost of hybrid car is still very expensive. Many experts think that hybrid car is a transition technology. The car of the future will be hydrogen or methane fuel cell powered car. Though hybrid car may help the environment, it is not the only option to reduce emissions. Car Pooling, public transport, riding a bicycle, or just buying a smaller car can also make a big difference to the environment.