Hybrid Plates - Getting Around Intent of Law

"Sorry" is just one word that I would use to describe your lame attempts to manipulate the attitudes of readers in this forum.

Your buying habits don't bug me, neither does your opinions. But when you make derrogatory statements and falsely accuse others who disaggre with you, fail to justify your claims, and fall back on nobility as some sort of shield for your actions, it is insulting.

At least I did the research and developed my position based on recognized and peer-reveiwed sources. Next time do your own research!

"Conjecture?" Is that how you describe those who disagree with you? I would not be so quick to believe everything Toyota says, remember they want to sell hybrids, so they are going to paint a rosey picture. Wait, oh that's right, you work for Toyota! Now all your selective ignorance makes sense!

As I have stated time and time again, I am neutral on the subject of hybrids, its a free country, spend your money how you choose. But don't look through those eco-centric, rose colored glasses at me and tell me that I am wrong while you benefit from tax breaks, incentives and exemptions that represent the manipulation of a crooked system. I have the same freedom of choice, and I also have the right to freedom from persecution from the likes of you.

Your narrow-minded attitude betrays your selfish motives.

You want facts? OK, her are some:

As you state, as part of its marketing scheme, Toyota has a program outlined in the Toyota website (at http://www.toyota.com/about/environment/technology/2004/hybrid.html0 ) which states, “Toyota has a comprehensive battery recycling program in place,” And offers customers “…a $200 "bounty" for each battery,” a fraction of the value of the components that could be recovered from the batteries. And while the website states that “Every part of the battery, from the precious metals to the plastic, plates, steel case and the wiring, is recycled,” it falls short of saying that none of these components end up in landfills.

MSNBC reporter Herb Weisbaum offers a more objective opinion in his March 14, 2006 article (at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11812910/), about hybrid batteries. In response to the question, “And will there be a pollution problem when the batteries come to the end of their useful life?” He answers, “Sooner or later — because they are defective, worn out, or the vehicle is in an accident — the battery pack in a hybrid vehicle will need to be removed or replaced.” “…the batteries will be treated as hazardous waste, similar to any other car battery. That means they will be sent to a recycling plant for proper disposal. The chemicals in the cells will be neutralized and any materials that can be reused will be sorted out.” This of course leaves any unrecyclable materials for the landfill.

In a CarPoint.com article (at http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-news/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabID=500648&ArticleID=5487&R=ce5487) , author Glenn Butler, outlines “THE HIDDEN COST OF HYBRID CARS.” Butler states, “The battery unit, which has a lifespan of 8-10 years - shorter in hotter climates - cannot be reconditioned. It must be thrown out and replaced with a new one, at considerable cost to the owner.” “Both Toyota and Honda were unable to tell CarPoint exactly how much of the battery could be recycled. Both have left the task of recycling in the hands of a third party recycler.” Butler warns against the careless disposable of Ni-MH batteries, due to the toxicity of it main derivative, nickel. "The main derivative is nickel, which is considered semi-toxic. Nickel-metal-hydride also contains electrolyte that, in large amounts, is hazardous. If no disposal service is available in an area,” the nickel-metal-hydride batteries will be disposed of “…other household wastes.” Butler warns that if ten or more batteries are accumulated, the user should dispose of these packs in a secure waste landfill." Battery packs like that used by Toyota in the Prius, contain up to 28 groups of six Ni-MH battery cells.

Oh, and based on the information in these websites and others on the subject, you are about 1/2 way through the usable life of your hybrid batteries. So you may want to start thinking about this.

Raymond, the Priapus batteries are Nickel Metal Hydride, not lead-acid, and are more environmentally friendly.

quote:

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Originally posted by raymond
[br]But as you accurately state, nobility is a thin veil for this purchase decision; "Let's not use the facade of being environmentally friendly..." as a justification for buying a hybrid when there are other reasons that while far less altruistic, but more realistic. NoSUV falls back on the ecology argument in a lame, ego-inflating attempt. But SB2M has offered a candid assesment; no arguments here.

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raymond - if you check my earlier posts, my hybrid purchase was based on environmental reasons. My Prius was purchased in '02; I moved to the region with 300,000 of my closest friends in '03. And not for the hybrid exemption, but for the employment opportunity.

Get your facts straight, raymond. Whoops - forgot who I was writing to - the person who needs no facts and just makes them up.