Are hybrid cars a step forward, or three backwards?

In light of the recent mass Toyota recall, now is the perfect time to discuss the popular "go green" trend of purchasing hybrid automobiles.

Touted to be the next economic and environmentally friendly travel option, hybrid cars may not be as great as we are led to believe.

Hybrid cars (also known as HEV or Hybrid Electrical Vehicles) are defined as vehicles run by a hybrid engine, which uses two or more power sources, according to hybrid-car.org.

At this time, all of the big players in the auto industry are producing at least one hybrid-model vehicle. Dodge, Nissan, Toyota, GMC, Chevrolet, Ford and even Lexus are some of the companies that are currently manufacturing these fusion automobiles.

These cars continue to attract people with claims of lower emissions, fuel-efficiency, tax credits and an environmentally-friendly facade.

While the vehicles are more fuel-efficient, the price of a hybrid is much higher than that of a regular car. This high price can greatly devalue the estimated gas mileage.

The Honda Accord is a good example of this, according to an article by Liz Pulliam Weston at msn.com. A hybrid Accord is said to get 32 mpg, while the regular model Accord falls short at 24 mpg. The problem is the hybrid costs $3,300 more.

If gas stayed at $2.50 a gallon and the owner of the hybrid drove 15,000 miles per year, he/she would save $391 a year on gasoline.

Basically, it would take about eight years to make up for that extra $3,300 spent on buying the hybrid version.

The cost, however, is perhaps the least worrisome element of a hybrid vehicle.

Although the vehicles do produce a significantly smaller amount of emissions, this does not mean they can simply be written off as environmentally-friendly.

Hybrid cars are more dependent upon battery power than traditional vehicles and need larger batteries.

There are many worries about the batteries: toxicity, a heightened possibility of personal injury (electric shock) and the environmental damage of dead batteries.

Although the estimated life of the battery in a hybrid is anywhere from 100,000-150,000 miles, one has to keep in mind where these estimates are coming from: the companies who produce these automobiles.

Both Toyota and Honda have a toll-free number on the battery pack to a recycling center, and according to hybridcars.com, Toyota has even placed a $200 reward for returned, expired batteries.

This is all great in theory, but even if all owners comply with recycling procedures, the actual process taken to salvage the used equipment creates pollution in itself.

Americans have this quick-fix view of life. People think that if something is wrong there has to be an immediate answer; if someone is sad he/she can just pop a pill and make everything better.

It is the same thing with hybrid vehicles. People think "oh the environment is in bad shape and I need a new car" so they purchase a hybrid vehicle. However, things are not that easy, and they never will be.

It seems to be the cool thing to do, to "go green", but people jump onto the bandwagon too quickly. If one is seriously considering buying any new car, it is important to do the research.

It might make you feel a little better about yourself to buy a hybrid, but if you really want to make a change try walking, or at least wait until a truly electric car is available.