Wouldn't a high milage conventional car have the same enviromental impact as a similar milage hybrid.?

Question

By burning the same amount of fuel I would think it would produce the same amount of greenhouse gas, since that's from the chemical hydrocarbon + O2 reaction caused by burning....

Answer 1

It would have about the same impact all other things being equal. The batteries are really not a major impact. Hybrids have some offsetting characteristics such as less engine and brake ware. Also hybrid batteries are fully recyclable.

However, it would have to burn the same fuel as well. Diesel has more latent energy so it gets better mileage, but it also produces more CO2 per gallon. The extra energy comes primarily from extra carbon it contains.

The main problem with your premise is that it probably is not possible to make a conventional car that will get the same mileage as a hybrid. Hybrids get better mileage from several characteristics that cannot be duplicated in a conventional car. For instance a hybrid can capture energy during braking and can run on just electricity at very low speeds when using the internal combustion engine is very inefficient. For that reason an conventional car could be rebuilt as hybrid to get the same performance but better mileage.

Answer 2

Yes, pretty much.

The application of hybrid technology to the high-milage conventional car might further the fuel economy with little loss in performance.  This is partly balanced by the ecological cost of the batteries, etc.

It matters somewhat how the car is used.  A hybrid will work best in stop-and-go traffic, and on hills; it gives little advantage in highway driving on smooth, flat roads.

Answer 3

pretty close.

but in theory, you can get a heavier car to get the higher mileage by going hybrid.

Answer 4

There are many times in slow moving traffic or at stoplights that the gasoline powered engine is not running at all with our hybrid. Pollution in that mode is virtually zero.

Answer 5

It would probably have less environmental impact since it wouldn't have the batteries.  Manufacturing the batteries is not environmentally friendly.

Answer 6

maybe but not the same as electric car.