Bullett_Bret
Well-Known Member
Ok so I think there needs to be a study done on this one.
How many times have you sat behind one of those Toyota Prius’s and where annoyed by them taking off so slowly when the light turns green or start breaking early when approaching a light is turning yellow?
Now I understand that they’re accelerating slowly using only the electric motor to keep from having the gas engine kick in as it does under hard acceleration. Likewise I understand that the early braking is to re-charge the batteries.
But com’on! Sure these folks are probably saving buck or two but I have to wonder how much extra fuel they are causing their fellow commuters to use as we sit behind them or when frustrated blast past them under full throttle the first opening we get.
I know it’s not PC to be a naysayer about these vehicles. But taking into account that the scarcity of the nickel, cadmium metals used in making the batteries there is probably a limit on how many will actually be made. Certainly not enough to replace every motor vehicle currently in use. Likewise the health concerns related to said mining, smelting and recovery & recycling costs – I think legitimate arguments can be made to do an in-depth study to evaluate this technology.
How many times have you sat behind one of those Toyota Prius’s and where annoyed by them taking off so slowly when the light turns green or start breaking early when approaching a light is turning yellow?
Now I understand that they’re accelerating slowly using only the electric motor to keep from having the gas engine kick in as it does under hard acceleration. Likewise I understand that the early braking is to re-charge the batteries.
But com’on! Sure these folks are probably saving buck or two but I have to wonder how much extra fuel they are causing their fellow commuters to use as we sit behind them or when frustrated blast past them under full throttle the first opening we get.
I know it’s not PC to be a naysayer about these vehicles. But taking into account that the scarcity of the nickel, cadmium metals used in making the batteries there is probably a limit on how many will actually be made. Certainly not enough to replace every motor vehicle currently in use. Likewise the health concerns related to said mining, smelting and recovery & recycling costs – I think legitimate arguments can be made to do an in-depth study to evaluate this technology.
