Prius drivers: A little bad news. Over their 7+ years of existence, hybrid cars in the US have saved less fuel than the amount used by cars in a single day in the US. Surprisingly, I learned about this via an email from a big hybrid advocate, Bradley of HybridCars.com.
This doesn’t mean that Priuses are bad. But it does seem to imply that they’re a rather small part of a solution that needs to be much much bigger. Think outside the Prius, basically.
Bradley, instead of getting depressed, has now started Zipcode Village. It’s like a sort of yellow pages for just your zip code, the idea being that if you discover all the cool places in walking or biking distance, you’ll never have to get in a car, Prius or not.
“Consuming less petroleum by living, working, and shopping locally—and leaving the car in the driveway—will beat a hybrid any day of the week,” notes Zipcode Village.
Using the site’s simple — all you have to do is plug in your zip at the front page. However, it’s very, very bare, as it’s a brand new site. I’m also not sure how techy it is, as I haven’t signed up yet — Will reviews of neighborhood spots get mapped, like on Yelp?
I love the idea, but since somewhat local web communities already exist, I’m still trying to decide whether or not joining this is the best way to pursue this local-living goal on a practical level. Perhaps it is…. Are you gonna join?
One full day of fuel is still more than any other car on the road saves, so I don’t have a problem with them. Also, keep in mind it is just the beginning of this technology and they emit a lot less pollution as well! Interesting site though, will have to check it out for our hood…maybe we can fill it in. ;-)
Comment by David — July 2, 2007 @ 11:25 pm
Maybe that statistic is correct, but of course it is more a comment about American car buying and owning habits than it is about the Prius itself.
Meantime, my own Prius has saved considerably more fuel that you might suppose, because it has got me thinking about all the other aspects of saving fuel besides what the car does itself. Indeed I do save up trips and run several together. I do intend to keep this car much longer than I have in the past; and I do ask myself if I can walk or cycle instead. I claim no great virtue for myself; but I think the Prius is such a wonderful example of superb engineering that it deserves to be supported by its driver :-)
Comment by JerryW — July 3, 2007 @ 3:10 am
Obviously using none has more of an effect than using less. But surely part of the issue is what people choose to buy, and what people can afford to buy. For example, I’d buy a Prius if I could afford one.
Comment by Kate — July 3, 2007 @ 7:00 am
i kind of think the best way to find places that are accessible by walking or biking is to get walking and biking. but maybe his zip code thing would be good for when you’re visiting somewhere? (hopefully you didn’t take a plane?)
Comment by Nate — July 3, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
The site is unusable. Ten minutes and counting to do a seach by zip?
Comment by pussreboots — July 3, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
I’m one step ahead of y’allz.
Driving in Los Angeles is like watching a movie.
Walking/biking in Los Angeles is like watching a play.
Comment by Militant Angeleno — July 4, 2007 @ 1:22 am
The site may not be that useful in finding places to shop, because unless you are new to the area or visiting, you will likely know what is in your walking distance. But it could be very useful in setting up community based groups, like a neighborhood watch or book club or kids play group or something. And whats more, you actually might get to know your neighbors!
Comment by Archer — July 5, 2007 @ 9:23 am