CAJ conclusion:


I have to say that I started my CAJ with a very optimistic view towards HEVs and EVs even though I didn't like them. There a many benefits for the average hybrid or electric car driver, such as lower "fuel" cost, less pollution and a very pushed ego because of his "green" attitude. I knew that EVs and HEVs had certain drawbacks, such as a relatively short range, a limited choice of cars, high prices, cheap looking interior/exterior and bad performance compared to cars fitted with internal combustion engines (although there are some good ones). But through my research I discovered the ethical problem behind EVs or plug-in HEVs charged by electricity generated in nuclear power plants. I further decided to do some math and proved that it would be almost impossible to produce enough electricity to supply an EV per citizen. I looked into the production of EVs/HEVs and read articles that explained why these cars were anything but "green". Lithium from China and Nickel (for example) from Canada have to be transported around the globe to build the necessary batteries. I never was a fan of HEVs and HEVs but I always thought it was the way to go. But as I finished my research project, I was convinced that we had just begun to walk a very difficult and long road.

PS. I still hate the Prius.