Are hybrid cars really beneficial to the environment? This question have been asked by many people, from environmental scientists to a normal person like me and you. Some say yes, hybrid cars do benefit the environment, while others think otherwise. So who is right?

Before I answer this question, let me begin by telling you what causes global warming. Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide(CO2) and other pollutants are gathered in the atmosphere and block the sunlight from leaving our atmosphere, making the Earth hotter like a water boiling pot with a lid on. And according to Nrdc.org, “ USA is the second-largest source of carbon pollution is the transportation sector, which generates about 1.7 billion tons of CO2 emissions a year.” We are the second-largest source of carbon pollution under China.

I am going to give you guys a brief summary on why people think hybrid cars benefit the environment. First, hybrid cars emit less CO2 into the air than a regular motored vehicles do. Not only does a hybrid car emit less CO2, but according to Consumerreports.org, “ Electric motors are about three times as efficient as gasoline engines.” This means they use three times less gasoline to do the same work as a motored vehicle. Another way hybrid cars benefit the environment is, with the advancement in technology, their engines are rechargeable. Some hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, the engine can recharge itself while driving. While other electronic cars like the Tesla and Nissan Leaf, you will have to plug it into an outlet. Because they are using electricity, they emit less to no CO2 into the atmosphere.

Now that you have some understanding on why people think hybrid cars are beneficial to the environment, let me give you a brief summary on why some people think it is not beneficial.

Let me begin by asking you to forget about all the things you have heard about hybrid cars. Forget about the commercials and advertisements, forget about the gas saving and ask yourself, “Do I know how a car is made?”

I am asking you guys to think a outside of the box. Hybrid cars like regular motored cars have to be manufactured from somewhere right? Many of the people who think hybrid cars are not beneficial to the environment, ask the question, “How much pollution does it take to manufacture a car?” Not only is this an important question to ask, but we should also consider, where do companies get these metals from to produce the car? These are only some of the questions that are under reported to no report at all.

Another reason why people think hybrid cars do not benefit the environment is, the fact that they are rechargeable. Have you ever wondered where our electricity comes from? What if I told you that most power plants and power grids are powered by coal and fossil fuel? Just the flick of a light switch, you are polluting the environment. According to ucsusa.org, “A typical coal plant generates 3.5 million tons of CO2 per year.” These power plants not only emit CO2, but they also emit, mercury, sulfur dioxide(SO2), nitrogen oxide(NOx) and particulate matter(ashes or dust). All of these pollutants are not only are dangerous to the environment, but it also harms our fellow earthlings.