Pollution-more or less to create the batteries in hybrid cars vs what the cars actually emit in it's lifetime?

Question

I've heard rumors that the process used to create the batteries found in hybrid vehicles actually emit more pollution than the actual vehicles themselves will ever emit over their entire lifetime on the road. This makes me wonder just how "environmentally friendly" these hybrids really are by the time they get on the road. Perhaps we are only saving our wallets vs. the environment...if the rumor is true. Your thoughts??

Answer 1

That may be true.  But you have to also remember that there will probably have to be recycling programs for these batteries by the auto companies.  Most all of the batteries can probably be recycled.

GM and Chrysler are working on hybrids that are less battery dependent and save more due to a dual mode transmission.

Answer 2

Yep, I read statistic somewhere (Wired Magazine maybe?) that stated a hybrid vechile expends more carbon from creation to junkyard than even a Hummer expends. I do agree with the last poster that as the engineering process is refined over time, the process effienciency to create the batteries will improve so the net energy cost (and carbon) of these vehicles will be greatly reduced.

Answer 3

No, this statement is just disinformation. All battery chemistries are recyclable, for one thing. And both NIMH and  the newer Li-Ion battery chemistries have very long lifetimes - NIMH batteries in the Toyota RAV 4 EVs from the late nineties are still going strong at over 100,000 miles. Next generation li-ions (AltairNanos, for example) will have lifetimes of 10 to 20 years.

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But to back this up, below is a collection of well-to wheel studies of electric cars - showing emissions, pollution, and energy usage - that demonstrate how much cleaner electric vehicles are over their lifetimes:

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http://sherryboschert.com/Downloads/Emis...

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Answer 4

I don't believe that. You often hear such claims. For example I have heard people claim that a compact fluorescent lamp saves less electricity that it took to make the bulb. That is just nonsense. And I heard it from someone who should have known better.

Hybrid cars don't have that many batteries in them anyway. Not as many as a regular electric golf cart even. And there are not yet as many hybrid cars on the road as there are golf carts on golf courses. At least not yet.

Answer 5

That depends on the manufacturing process.  Manufacturing processes can be extremely clean, if they're managed correctly.  

Even so, that presumes virgin materials.  Lead-acid car batteries are already recycled at a very high rate.  Hybrid batteries will too, because they will be even heavier and have a higher core charge.

Answer 6

I've never heard that, but it wouldn't surprise me if it is true.  However...  This is only the beginning.  Once it becomes more streamlined and more popular, it will become more efficient both monetarily and environmentally.  We have to deal with rough beginnings to get good returns.  Just think if we were still using refining methods from 100 years ago for coal, or the fuel efficiency or emissions from cars 50 years ago.  It will get better.  I promise. ;-)

Answer 7

They have proved this untrue.  It is Big Auto propaganda.

It is also based on a Hummer driving 300,000 miles and a Prius going only 100,000.   It's a jaded analysis.  Any Toyota would probably outlive a Hummer any day of the week.