January 22, 2009 by Sour Kraut

This really burns me. Jeremy Cato bases his calculations on a four year ownership. Well lets really look at saving the planet. Reduce and reuse, aren’t those two of the big three? Lets start talking about vehicles that are not only fuel efficient, but instead of being option laden, meet the minimal requirements need for safe transportation. Are people that are truly serious about environmental cars buying vehicles bloated with power options galore, satelite radios, air conditioning and leather interiors? Yes they are. Why? A bare bones vehicle will be lower in weight, provide better economy and require fewer resources and less energy to build. Also are these “environmentalists” buying new when they get tired of their vehicle even though it is not near the end of its life cycle? Sure they are. They should be looking at a vehicle that they are going to operate and maintain for at least ten years. If Mr. Cato really wanted to get to the operating cost of vehicle he would have looked longer term. Lets look at the cost or footprint of producing these vehicles and then look at the cost of keeping them in service for their useful life. A good diesel will easily run ten years or 500,000km. A hybrid? I don’t think so. That comparison will give you a better idea of costs that “environmentalist” should want to know.