Nickbat wrote on 22. May 2009 at 09:47:



It is indeed interesting Nick.  Like everything taken from the earth to provide the means by which we derive energy, there will be an eventual environmental cost. 

Hybrid technology is a means by which the utter dependance on fossil fuels can be, in part, shifted.  Its an illustration of how, with a bit of thought and application, new sustainable and, above all, practical technology can be developed to solve the problems now being experienced.

Is is a pity that the 'green' label has been attached so prominently to the technology as it isn't perfect - but it's a start

Great posting by the way, always thought provoking

The Prius is still a great wee car irrespective of this

TheBoy wrote on 22. May 2009 at 10:21:



Yep TB, it takes a different mind-set to drive and enjoy.  I came from using 3.2s generally driven in extremis, so it took me a while to revert from the class 1 mentality to a rather more reasonable state.

I have to say however that I've found the Prius more than civilised to live with - but then I might just be an old codger now

It is flawed as it's a compromise, but it's a tangible effort on the road to an alternative means of propulsion

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 22. May 2009 at 11:53:



very good

Matchless wrote on 22. May 2009 at 15:59:



You might want to look at this Matchless;

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-417227/Toyota-factory.html

There was, and still is, a lot of black propaganda surrounding this issue.  The point is that at least an alternative is being tried, it's a small step on the journey. 

This is why I said before that the 'green' label unfairly saddles the car with something that the Prius or any other low emission can't sustain, as the nature of the final product will always have an environmental impact.   It's still a reasonable effort however

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 22. May 2009 at 12:35:



That may be Mark but it's still not a bad wee drive.  You just have to adapt a different technique needed to get the best of it on the road - honest - STF

Quote:


The problem with the Sudbury plant was (and is) that the EPA labelled it as a gross polluter and required its closure or millions of dollars to be spent on cleaning it up. There is no other work in the area and several towns only exist because of the mines, nickel smelter and a tiny amount of gold. If the smelter closes the cost to the community os massive so they were granted exemption to the EPA directives.

I have seen the trees that were planted and are still being planted every year. They seem to reach about 6-7 ft high the die. Its a really wierd landscape. If you drive 2-3 hours west then there is thick woodland and forest, but drive east and there is nothing but dead trees and brown grass.