As many of our faithful readers know, half of 2nd Green Revolution gave up their car at the end of last year. For those that having been paying close attention, they are aware that the other half has increased their family by one this year.
While the impact of Western lifestyles and consumption patters are not entirely sustainable, they do drive the economic engines of the world economy and are becoming the worldwide (not just western) way. With all of this in mind, I propose a vehicular dilemma. After 12 great years with my 1998 Honda Accord, the time has come to replace the basic sedan that has seen me through college, graduate school, more than half a dozen years of commuting to and from work, and numerous moves.
Although the “greenest” solution is not buying a car, or keeping the one I have, this is no longer an option. Currently we are a one car family and will continue to be so. However, we need a car that will suit our expanded family. The vehicular dilemma is what to do. Torn between a hybrid or a slightly larger vehicle that is not offered in a hybrid version, the question remains unanswered. Given that we have driven roughly 5,000 miles in the last year, can we justify not buying a hybrid? Does the conservation that my family engages in outweigh the hybrid? If the time comes when we “need” a second car, electric vehicles or advanced battery technology for hybrids may very well lead us to consider one of these choices. We tried to wait for the Toyota Prius’ plug-in hybrid to become more readily available, but living in a multi-family dwelling (another decision to reduce energy consumption) makes recharging the few plugi-ins on the market virtually impossible.
As it stands, Colorado winters and mountains may be no match for a hybrid if we only have one car. I think I’ve talked myself into a reduced driving load in exchange for a car that allows me to live in one of the most stunning places on Earth. Preserving our natural resources is essential. By driving less, regardless of the type of car we buy, we will have made a conscientious, informed decision. As my family grows and we need a larger vehicle, I realize how few sizable cars there are that achieve higher gas mileage. The hybrid version of the Chevy Tahoe does not count.
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