Exploiting Hybrid Technology
The cover story of the Winter 2005 copy of the news magazine of the environmental group, "Friends of the Earth" is titled, "Toyota's Green Commitment - Fact or Fiction?"
While giving Toyota credit for introducing the fuel efficient hybrid Prius, the article shows that it scarcely qualifies them to claim to be an environmental leader in light of their opposition to legislation designed to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses by motor vehicles.
The article includes a summary which contrasts Toyota's claim of being an environmental company to their actions, I quote.
Environmental Ethics?
In their words:
At Toyota, we operate under a global earth charter that promotes environmental responsibility throughout our entire company. We are leading the way in lowering emissions and improving fuel economy in gasoline powered vehicles. Not only did we create the world's first mass-produced gas/electric hybrid car, but we are also in the forefront of developing tomorrow's fuel cell vehicles.
From the Toyota web site
Deeds:
1. Toyota joined an alliance of auto makers suing to overturn California's landmark law to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from vehicles.
2. Toyota is part of a group of auto makers stifling efforts in Congress to raise national fuel mileage standards for passenger vehicles.
3. Toyota's new hybrids, the Lexus RX400h and the Highlander (SUV), have greater horsepower and little or no better fuel efficiency than their gasoline counterparts."
I find it very disappointing that hybrid technology is being exploited for still greater performance, rather than to improve the environment.
Of course, the motoring public is actually in the driver's seat. If they would boycott performance cars in favor of efficiency, manufacturers would produce them. Do motorists actually get their money's worth when they demand that their car can accelerate from zero to 60 MPH in six or seven seconds? Of course, the real cost of our plundering of the earth's resources will not be felt during my lifetime. Moreover, it is virtually assured that the majority of the people will continue to ignore the warnings of scientists (as they did with the Louisiana levies) until it is too late to rectify the problem.
Unfortunately, the consequences of global warming will be worldwide, and will probably not be reversible (by the time people accept the validity of the process) in time to avoid the most serious disaster in the history of mankind.
TownOnline
While giving Toyota credit for introducing the fuel efficient hybrid Prius, the article shows that it scarcely qualifies them to claim to be an environmental leader in light of their opposition to legislation designed to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses by motor vehicles.
The article includes a summary which contrasts Toyota's claim of being an environmental company to their actions, I quote.
Environmental Ethics?
In their words:
At Toyota, we operate under a global earth charter that promotes environmental responsibility throughout our entire company. We are leading the way in lowering emissions and improving fuel economy in gasoline powered vehicles. Not only did we create the world's first mass-produced gas/electric hybrid car, but we are also in the forefront of developing tomorrow's fuel cell vehicles.
From the Toyota web site
Deeds:
1. Toyota joined an alliance of auto makers suing to overturn California's landmark law to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from vehicles.
2. Toyota is part of a group of auto makers stifling efforts in Congress to raise national fuel mileage standards for passenger vehicles.
3. Toyota's new hybrids, the Lexus RX400h and the Highlander (SUV), have greater horsepower and little or no better fuel efficiency than their gasoline counterparts."
I find it very disappointing that hybrid technology is being exploited for still greater performance, rather than to improve the environment.
Of course, the motoring public is actually in the driver's seat. If they would boycott performance cars in favor of efficiency, manufacturers would produce them. Do motorists actually get their money's worth when they demand that their car can accelerate from zero to 60 MPH in six or seven seconds? Of course, the real cost of our plundering of the earth's resources will not be felt during my lifetime. Moreover, it is virtually assured that the majority of the people will continue to ignore the warnings of scientists (as they did with the Louisiana levies) until it is too late to rectify the problem.
Unfortunately, the consequences of global warming will be worldwide, and will probably not be reversible (by the time people accept the validity of the process) in time to avoid the most serious disaster in the history of mankind.
TownOnline
posted by Ottawa Gas Prices | 6:11 PM
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