Diesel vs hybrid which is better for the environment?

Answer 1

That depends on what you believe. Many people believe that hybrids are very good for the environment. Others people include the massive pollution at the mines where nickle is mined as part of the pollution made by Hybrids.

When dealing with this topic, one should include the total pollution created by a vehicle, not just the pollution during operation. The two largest pollution points in any vehicle's life are during construction and the dismantling of the unit. Hybrids generate a great deal more pollution during these events because of the extra electronics and batteries involved in their operation. A unit the generates slightly more pollution, but lives much longer is an overall cleaner unit for operation.

Hybrids do get as good mileage as smaller non-hybrid cars on the highway and slightly better in the city. They need more maintenance and are not projected to live as long as conventional units with major battery change outs.

The Toyota Prius gets 51 city and 48 highway by stats. (we never hit actual stats in any car)

The VW Jetta gets 39 city and 51 highway with no extra pollution created in the making of the extra electronics and batteries. California tested the car and averaged 48 MPG using their standards.

There are cars that are coming out soon that will blow away these hybrids as far as mileage.

Overall the hybrids are probably not as bad for the environment as a mid size car. The small diesel and gas cars blow them away though for overall environmental friendly. You will lose though, in the status department of the feel good crowd.

Diesels cost allot less than hybrids and last longer and always will. They don't emit acid like gas powered hybrids. In Europe diesels became much more common than hybrids because there cheaper. There is also diesel run hybrids now that get even better mileage.