Every Toyota Prius requires more than 70lbs of rare earth metals to build. All hybrid and electric cars require the same or more rare earth metals. Many years ago America supplied approximately 98% of the rare earth metals, today China supplies 98% of the worlds rare earth metals. The problem with rare earth metals is not that they are rare but that they require enormous amounts of strip mining which destroys forests and poisons the land.
China recently threatened Japan with cutting off their supply of these rare earth metals. If the United States is tricked into the belief that hybrid cars are better for the planet because they use less fuel we will be headed for an environmental disaster much more damaging than the burning of fossile fuels.
To ensure we have enough rare earth materials, America will be forced to begin large scale strip mining so as to not be dependent on China. The option that all environmentalist agree should be taken is the use of natural gas autos. Natural gas is already pumped to millions of homes. A low tech device is installed in the home and the car is fueled overnight. It takes about 6 hours to fuel a compressed natural gas car with a home unit or jut a few minutes with commercial filling stations. . The cars can get about 110 miles on natural gas and then you would flip a switch and the car would then run on gasoline if longer trips are needed.
Hybrid cars are not saving the planet, rather they are having a major negative impact on the planet, however, the negative impact is in China. If we continue with this short sighted, feel good technology we are only a few years away from having to start strip mining in the USA again. Do some of your own research and find out the truth about these hybrid cars and the horrible environmental impact.
4 thoughts on “Hybrid cars – destroying the environment ?”
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So, Buy a Hybrid Car Other Than a Toyota Prius / Get Fuel Cells
Perhaps Tom Jeferstahl’s blog was not clearly written, but his complaint is written about one model Hybrid Car, the Toyota Prius.
If his complaint about the Prius needing China’s Rare Earth to be manufactured, was also true of other or all Hybrid Cars, why wouldn’t he say so, rather than to single out the Prius?
So he might be applying the exception as the rule.
However, as I understand it, Rare Earths can be mined outside of China, and there is plenty to be mined within the USA.
But I certainly think there are better alternatives to gasoline or natural gas or the current generation of hybrids.
Ultimately, I believe, cars will switch to Hydrogen / Oxygen & Fuel Cells – this is something that has supplied electricity for vehicles in space travel since the 1960’s. Fuel Cells are still used in space travel, but needs to be further developed for mass production.
Fuel Cells generate electricity by breaking down water to its two elements, Hydrogen and Oxygen – they are its only ‘pollutant’. This electricity can be used to power electrical components of a car.
The Hydrogen and Oxygen are captured and then mixed together, to power an engine that is also used to power the car. Hydrogen burns clean and is a powerful source of combustion. Water is the only ‘pollutant’ resulting from burning the Hydrogen and Oxygen. That water is captured and recycled into the Fuel Cells, resulting in a continuing process of creating and using clean energy.
And the main ingredient Fuel Cells require to accomplish all of this is Water. Thats one thing found plentiful around the Earth, and certainly on the East Coast. And it’s easy to obtain inexpensively.
as compared to regular gasoline cars?
Definitely agree hybrids are a trade off, by using other things like electricity instead of as much gasonline.
But my question is how many pounds of precious rare earth medals do regular cars use? I have no idea – but maybe it is 70lbs too?
Not flaming, just curious.
Thanks.
rare earth in electric motors
Rare earth metals are used to make the magnets that are used in electric motors and generators for wind turbines and a host of other products that have small electric motors and light weight magnets. They are not used in the ordinary manufacture of gas/diesel engines and cars. good question
Tom,
That was truly an
Tom,
That was truly an informative post and I thank you for it. One question, why haven’t natural gas options been pursued?