WWNO skyline header graphic
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WWNO/WRKF Newsroom.

Why Hybrid Cars Are Winning the Eco-Friendly Fight

Shopping for a car can be a real headache, especially for the eco-conscious consumer. Is electric really best? How about a hybrid? What if I just buy a used gasoline-powered car? The answer is…it depends. On a lot.

First,  you need to know the main source of power for your area, as coal is the prevalent source of electricity  in the U.S.,  and your swanky new Nissan Leaf or Electric Prius would actually be slurping its juice off the same coal fired plants  The good news is,  for about 45 percent of  us, the total well to wheels CO2 emissions of an EV’s  life cycle equate to a gas powered car that gets about 41 to 50 miles per gallon. Surprisingly, New Orleans is in that number! Keep in mind that batteries of electric cars are resource-intensive and toxic, so take battery disposal into consideration. While there is no universal “best” vehicle out there for those drivers who strive to be greener, a Carnegie Mellon study determined that hybrid engines with small batteries, for the are far better than conventional gasoline vehicles and 100 percent electric vehicles for average American drivers. So stop da gas guzzlin!

👋 Looks like you could use more news. Sign up for our newsletters.

* indicates required
New Orleans Public Radio News
New Orleans Public Radio Info