• Cars

    Used Cars Are More Eco-Friendly Than Hybrids?

    By Mark Wilson, 11:40 AM on Tue May 20 2008, 21,420 views (Edit, to draft, Top, Slurp)

    Here's a simple, compelling argument we read in Wired that shows a used car may be a more ecologically sound choice than a new Prius:

    Energy It Takes To Build Prius
    113,000 BTUs

    113,000 BTUs In Gasoline
    1,000 gallons

    Distance Driven to Break Even For Build Cost
    46,000 miles

    Time Needed For Average Driver to Hit 46,000 Miles
    Over 3 Years

    Distance Driven to Break Even with 1998 Toyota Tercel*
    100,000 miles

    Time Needed For Average Driver to Hit 100,000 Miles
    Over 7 Years

    * or any car that gets 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway
    ** distance/year ratios built on 13,500-mile yearly average [Wired]

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