Praise, don't blame, hybrid cars

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Ted Stout

Date published: 8/17/2006

For those of you who categorically oppose all hybrids in the HOV lanes, I urge you to learn more about hybrids ["HOV lanes exist for those who plan ahead, too," July 9].

Performance and SUV hybrids struggle to get 30 miles per gallon and do not offer the same emissions benefit as the economy hybrids.

Those cars get upwards of 60 mpg and emit a fraction of the emissions as a regular vehicle.

Emissions from a Toyota Prius are one-eighth the amount from a comparable sedan, so one person in a hybrid is still better than three people in a sedan or SUV.

The argument against allowing hybrids in the HOV lanes mainly contends that the HOV lanes are getting too congested.

As a commuter I know for a fact that there is no problem between Dumfries and Springfield in the morning. No doubt, there is a noticeable increase in the afternoon, but never enough to cause traffic jams.

When the HOV lanes do become too crowded, I would suggest that vehicles that have the highest emissions and the lowest mpg be the first to be removed from the "exemption" list.

Those vehicles would include law enforcement vehicles that are not providing traffic and safety control, hybrids that get less than 40 mpg, motorcycles (an economy hybrid gets better mpg and emits fewer emissions than most motorcycles), and economy hybrids.

I think it just makes sense to reward the people who are doing things that make the environment a better place for everyone.

The folks who complain about hybrids just don't know the facts. Use your energy to complain about how SUVs, pickups, and gas-guzzling sport cars are causing high gas prices by creating an increased demand for petrol in the first place.

Spotsylvania

Date published: 8/17/2006