Heifer or hybrid?

Green, or going green, is the new black. It seems that the main target for environmentalists is the car driver. The car and their driver are the root of all evil and unless we stop/limit/ restrict their use then we are all headed towards oblivion.

Well before Al Gore and other doomsday merchants started to scare us with predictions of our global demise, car manufacturers were busy making cars that were more and more economical. The car you drive today is a very efficient piece of engineering from the manufacturing process to the everyday use/running costs.

Producing greener cars today presents even higher hurdles for the car companies. Ford has gone for fuelling their cars from renewable sources with their Flexifuel. Honda has opted for hybrid technology – a combination of batteries and normal engines. Both claim to be doing their bit for the environment giving you, the driver, enhanced green credentials.

Detractors of Flexifuel say that the switch by farmers to growing biofuel crops is pushing up the price of normal food. When they turn their attention to hybrid cars they question the green credentials of the batteries - when they need to be replaced and recycling issues. With hybrids there still remains a question over their actual consumption with a lot of independent testers failing to reach the manufacturer's fuel consumption claims.

Still, there is a mood swing for us to use alternative technologies and fuels to keep us on the move. The question remains is which of the alternative technologies is best? I'm as confused as you about the arguments and claim no special insight. I do, however, have a number of 'facts /observations' for you to ponder.

Biofuels are made from plants. These plants need to be grown, harvested, transported, turned into fuel and finally delivered to a filling station. So intensive is this process that according to a recent BBC article, this uses "30% more energy than the finished fuel produces". In other words, we're using fuel (and much of this is currently fossil fuel) to make...less fuel! en.wiki.aktivix.org

The Toyota Prius, a hybrid, has a higher 'Dust to Dust' cost than a Suzuki Vitara and a Kia Sorrento - together! www.cnwmr.com. Cattle are "responsible for 18% of greenhouse gases, more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together," states a 400-page United Nations report from the Food and Agriculture Organization. en.wikipedia.org It takes 4.8 pounds of grain fed to cattle to produce one pound of beef for human beings, this represents a colossal waste of resources and is a main reason for deforestation. en.wikipedia.org One litre of petrol burned in any car produces the same amount of CO2.

This is a motoring column so I'll relay to you my driving observations on two alternative cars - you can debate the green issues yourself. Up for review are the Ford CMax Flexifuel that uses bio and normal fuel and the Honda Civic IMA which is a hybrid of petrol and batteries. As I have used my allocated space already above you'll have to read my review of both cars online at Honda Civic IMA Versus Focus C-Max FFV.

My wry observation is that if you believe greenhouse gases are going to hasten us to our maker then drive a car that uses the least fuel for your motoring requirements and go vegetarian. That way you'll reduce your carbon 'footprint', although 'balloon' seems a better metaphor!

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