dmcnelly wrote:
wannabeeahack wrote:
except in reality everyone knows the Prius is a half-measure, only "green" for a very limited time then becomes a petrol engined car, its average mpg (spirit monitor, 1165 owners, shows 54mpg)
no-one knows how the batteries will be disposed of yet either
Scrooge ?
Its the most economical equivalant yet.
Ford Focus Economatic TDCI - 55+mpg
Ford Mondeo 51mpg
VW Golf bluemotion 54mpg
the above will probably outlast the prius's petrol engine and dont have those nasty batteries either, the electricty to charge which is generated somewhere somehow...
Quote:
Electromagnetic (radiation) field levels
The Prius has been known to emit excessively high electromagnetic fields. ICNIRP guidelines stipulate that the maximum long term exposure should not exceed 1mG but the Prius measures higher than 24mG in some locations, such as the rear right seat. ICNIRP guidelines are not law in many (if any) countries. The World Health Organization in conjunction with the ICNIRP conducted a study and found levels above 3mG contribute to a child's risk of developing leukemia.
At 12mG, the electromagnetic radiation is so strong it's able to block the body's ability to inhibit cancers (in this case breast cancer) using melatonin. The Toyota Prius exceeds 12mG (up to 24mG) in some areas of the cabin. However Toyota claims that the Prius emits similar fields to conventional gasoline vehicles.
The high voltage power cable from the traction battery and the forward electric drive motor/generator passes directly under the drivers seat.
Lifetime energy usage
The British Government and British media have requested Toyota release detailed figures for the energy use and CO2 emissions resulting from the building and disposal of the Prius. The UK Government Car Service runs 130 Priuses. Toyota has not supplied the detailed data they requested to support claims that the lifetime energy usage of the Prius (including the increased environmental cost of manufacture and disposal of the nickel-metal hydride battery) are outweighed by lower lifetime fuel consumption. Toyota states that lifetime CO2 saving is 43 percent.
CNW Marketing Research initially published a study in which they estimated that the total lifetime energy cost of a Prius was greater than that of a Hummer. The study is widely cited, and its contents have also been widely challenged: see for example "Hummer versus Prius: 'Dust to Dust' Report Misleads the Media and Public with Bad Science." A recent update by CNW has changed the total lifetime cost value, now placing the Prius as costing less than the Hummer.
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