I was having a conversation with a friend today who was saying that the lifecycle of a Prius was actually worse than that of a Hummer due to the batteries. He cited a nickel mine where nothing grew for miles around due to the toxicity. I have yet to look this up to substantiate his claims, but what do you think? Do you think the environmental benefits of better gas mileage are outweighed by the toxic batteries in electric or hybrid cars?
I love technology but I am also quite aware of the negative impact it can have on the environment. Still, I think it's technology that has the most potential to save us. Here you'll find articles on the green tech aka clean tech, such as alternative fuel, green computing, and e-cycling. You'll also hear about the "green" and the "tech" - from green household cleaners to why Linux is the progressive operating system of choice.
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June 30th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
From what I’ve read about NiMH batteries, I believe your friend is mistaken. There’s a decent article on NiMH batteries at Wikipedia, though the environmental impact section is short. I’ve read elsewhere that NiMH batteries are easily recyclable and that virtually all of the materials (especially the nickel) can be reclaimed. I expect the impact of the mine has mostly to do with local environmental regulations and their enforcement.
The tragedy of NiMH batteries is that Texaco (now Chevron) bought the key NiMH battery patents so that they could “hold back the electric car” (from the Stonecutter’s song). Toyota was licensed to use NiMH as part of a gasoline-fueled hybrid, but was not allowed to build a plug-in hybrid. Texaco/Chevron wanted to make sure that all of the hybrid’s power was derived from gasoline and not from solar panels or other cheap forms of electricity.
I think you’re even better off with lithium batteries. There’s a great deal of lithium in Bolivia waiting to improve the economy of that country.
Next your friend will be telling you that driving a Hummer is healthier and more environmentally beneficial than walking or riding a bicycle.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Thanks for the response, John. I am indeed skeptical that a HUMMER is more environmental than a Prius, but I definitely want to know more about the battery issue.
July 12th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
This study was thoroughly debunked.
http://www.pacinst.org/topics/integrity_of_science/case_studies/hummer_versus_prius.html
“Even the most cursory look reveals serious biases and flaws: the average Hummer H1 is assumed to travel 379,000 miles and last for 35 years, while the average Prius is assumed to last only 109,000 miles over less than 12 years.”