Article by Darren Northam

The green revolution is upon us, and there’s no turning back now. As soon as the recession cut out, all of the major automakers made a huge vie for green driving. Technology is progressing at a quick rate these days, so the research necessary to accomplish the goal of zero emissions has become less costly. Orange Park Toyota drivers have already enjoyed many of the benefits that come with owning a hybrid vehicle. Yes, the Prius made the first stab at spectacular fuel efficiency, and it continues to be the market leader in greenness, reliability and general drivability. Whether the Prius continues to lead the industry in green driving is currently up in the air with the launch of a new fleet of electric vehicles occurring this year. However, new research by MIT physicists shows that the Prius trumps electric cars in many ways, but the ones that count the most are emissions and cost to the owner. According to the research, Chevy’s Volt may not be able to compare to the award-winning Prius. Part of the rationale is the use of coal to power electric mills everywhere. Florida used cars should enjoy plenty more sales of Prius units.

For Orange Park Toyota drivers, the research results are both heartening and disheartening. It would have been nice if we could find a new standard in driving that helps cut down on emissions, but it looks like the Chevy Volt isn’t it. According to a recent article in Tainted Green, “Determining emissions from conventional hybrid is straightforward. Researchers for the MIT Energy Initiative found that carbon dioxide emissions from hybrids are 33% lower compared to gasoline engines. Figuring out emissions from EV’s, however, is more complicated, since it depends on how electricity is generated. If a plug-in hybrid electric car, like the Chevy Volt, is charged by carbon-free power, it would have 66% less CO2 emissions compared to gasoline engines. But if the recharge relies on coal-fired power, the emissions from plug?in hybrids are higher than the convention hybrids. And in spite of gains in renewable power, coal-fired power plants still accounted for 45% (and natural gas plants for 24%) of 2010 electricity generation. Using EV’s will not significantly decrease CO2 emissions until nuclear and renewable electric generation replaces fossil-fueled power plants.” Owners of Florida used cars are glad to hear that their vehicles are still extremely relevant.

In the end, no one knows exactly what will come of the EV revolution this year. I know that Orange Park Toyota dealers will still have great Prius sales until Chevy and Nissan can prove that they have launched the new standard in driving. Florida used cars will continue to be relevant until that day, when the entire driving paradigm will shift into the future and help push more progress in the driving industry. It won’t matter; in the next 20 years, we’ll all be driving around in automatic cars on tracks anyway. Then we definitely will not have to worry about these things.

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