I wrote a paper on this while i was at Uni.
I was using the Prius as an example, and data from a European company, where fuel is dearer, and the Prius more popular.
Basically, in terms of Ecological Footprint, it costs the environment LESS to put a Hummer on the road, compared to a Prius.
To quantify that, at the time, the batteries were only made in one location and flown all around the world at various stages of assembly before hitting the streets.
Also, due to the chemicals in the batteries, there is now a 'dead zone' around the plant making them. So dead in fact that NASA test their space equipment there because it is so devoid of life that it is basically a replica of anything out in space.
Getting back to the costings, in this European country, if you bought a Prius, or another similarly sized small economical non-hybrid car, it would take 160 000 km's travelled in the Prius, to make up the $$$ saved to justify the price hike over the small 4-banger.
How many people hang onto a brand new car for 160 000 kays? especially in Europe where the distances are far shorter?
Food for thought everyone
