There is a lot of talk about hybrids and EV’s (electric vehicles) these days, we are all conscious of the effect of gasoline combustion engines on our environment, but many people do not realize that with every gallon of gas that is burned in an automobile that has a combustible engine, 19 pounds of CO2 is released into the air which is directly related to global warming.  The list of pollutants in car exhaust is endless, including: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, polycyclic hydrocarbons and more.

These chemicals can cause many types of illness in the body ranging from breathing disorders occurring in areas where the toxic chemicals are trapped in the air (smog), to cardiovascular disease. Some airborne chemicals stimulate the immune system to activate leukocytes and macrophages that can produce tissue damage, especially to the cells that line human blood vessels. The combined effect  is acceleration of the changes that eventually lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.  One of the most comprehensive health studies ever completed at the University of Southern California verified that children are suffering from acute respiratory symptoms as a result of high smog days.

Considering all of the ill effects on our health, and the drastic effect of car exhaust on global warming, not to mention that our children are suffering, it is difficult to believe that our  government does not step in to mandate production of cars that produce zero emissions in order to eliminate combustion engines altogether, and to create a market where zero emission vehicles are the only cars available.  This would obviously increase demand and drive the price down for new and used Toyota hybrids as well as EV’s.    

What is the alternative?  Eventually we WILL run out of oil making our gas guzzlers obsolete anyhow, and it leaves us wondering where the consumers’ priorities will be when the only viable options are  “should I walk, or ride my bike today?”

If you are ready to hop on the green wagon, stop by your local St. Louis Toyota Dealer, Spirit Toyota and test drive a Prius today!