Buy a hybrid or plug-in vehicle to make the world a better place
CO2, pollution, foreign oil dependence, gasoline spikes - How many more reasons do you need to buy a hybrid or plug-in?
Right after 9/11 and after seeing too many large SUVs with 'No blood for oil' stickers on their bumpers, I decided that I needed to do something to end my personal foreign oil dependence footprint.
I decided my best approach was to take the subway and I pretty much gave up driving, and when I do need to drive, I drive a hybrid.
Ultimately, there are many things one can do to lower their foreign oil dependence and pollution footprints, but one easy way for many is to buy a more fuel efficient vehicle.
Unfortunately, today many claim fuel efficient vehicles, such as hybrid cars and plug-in vehicles are cost-ineffective.
While partially true, I say poppycock.
Many hybrid cars, for instance, are cost-effective within 5 years. Other might take 7 or even 10 years to achieve payback. Obviously, those aren't the best economics, but there is more to this story than that.
For instance, if a big gasoline spike hits, many of these payback periods could instantly be cut in half, or at least significantly reduced.
Likewise, plug-in vehicles can be even less cost-effective than conventional hybrids, but with plug-in tax credits available, the economics are far more promising, especially in terms of leasing plug-ins.
Moreover, how much has it cost the US as a whole to recover from the 9/11 attacks and the wars that attack ultimately created?
Just crazy terrorists, you might say, with no connection to US foreign oil dependence.
Well, except for the financing of course. Likewise, Osama bin Laden was clear in his manifesto about why 9/11 occurred and it all boils down to oil.
But the past is the past.
Perhaps even more dangerous than 9/11 is the possibility of peak oil.
Now, many laugh at the notion of peak oil. Somehow the earth will have an endless supply of oil -- even though its a finite resource -- some seem to believe.
Certainly, there is much more oil, potentially, out there. But tapping into tar sands and oil shales, for instance, is much more expensive than a traditional oil well.
The fact is oil is becoming much more expensive, and the day is coming when other alternatives will be more cost-effective. And, not only will they be more cost-effective, but they'll lead to a new industrial revolution filled with unimaginable technological breakthroughs and innovations.
However, if we wait for peak oil, breaking away from the grasp of cheap energy will be extremely difficult, perhaps even impossible, especially if peak oil occurred during a recession.
Yet, even today, if one created a new energy paradigm that replaces oil, such as with wind, solar, batteries, nuclear, and other forms of efficiency, such an oil free future would be cost-effective, as long as we can think 2 - 3 decades for our investment to fully mature.
As alternative technologies advance, this maturity date will decline.
Still, we can only kick the can down the road for so long. We may have already kicked it too far.
Hopefully, eventually the government and voters will soon recycle this can into a new energy revolution.
Until then, however, if you're going to buy a new or used vehicle, make it a hybrid or plug-in. Minimally, you can know that you at least are taking action, even if others are not.
Ultimately, its we the people that will need to lead the way, and that starts with buying hybrids and plug-in vehicles.
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