A bicycle satisfies points B and C just fine. And given that most trips are just a few miles or less, a bicycle serves the purpose just fine. And yes, a bike is just fine in the rain and down to 15 below or so. And arguably better in many snow conditions than a car. Bike more, drive less? That oughta help, right? T. (Waiting for protests from the "America runs on Dunkins" crowd...) Full disclosure: '82 westy diesel '00 Honda Civic and 3 bicycles, a unicycle, and a tandem
----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Snow" <slowmachine82@GMAIL.COM> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 11:45:25 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: Re: Vanagon emissions What is wrong with driving a Vanagon or light truck as your only vehicle? I would argue that: A. Life-cycle emissions include the total of the emissions created from mining, manufacturing, use, maintenance and disposal of the vehicle. B. [...] there is no vehicle in existence (and never will be) that emits so few pollutants that the combined life-cycle emissions of the two vehicles are less than those of a single pickup or Vanagon. C. Completely disregarding all consideration for fuel economy and emissions, there is no second vehicle in existence (and never will be) that costs so little to purchase, insure, operate and maintain, that will enable a lower combined operation cost than is incurred by the poor fuel economy of a single pickup or Vanagon. Drive what meets your needs, but understand that two vehicles are never less expensive than one, and the life-cycle emissions of two cars are never less than those of a single vehicle. I think the Prius is a marvel of engineering. However, driving a Prius or any other super-efficient car, as a second car, costs you more, and pollutes the planet more than driving only a Vanagon. -- Michael Snow 1982 Westfalia 1.9TD http://slowmachine82.blogspot.com/ |
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