Where to Buy a Hybrid Badge?

[Kaan]

That's how uninformed the policy is and it speaks to an overall attitude in consumers - as long as it's a hybrid, you're doing something more than the rest of us.

really? because my bike gets better gas mileage than a Prius! now... i guess you could argue that i dont have a cat on this bike... never came with one... so i might be doing less then a Prius overall.

[PDenbigh]

The biggest challenge alternative fuels have is not the technical engineering, it's the social engineering.

No Pete, a hybrid is not an alternative fuel. Fills up with gas, then recovers a minute percentage of energy produced by that fossil fuel and stores it in a environmentally harmful heavy metal battery which results in a slightly better gas mileage.
Mileage that was attainable 20 years ago in conventional lightweight commuter cars.

The only thing hybrids are are social engineering. They are ineffective environmentally and economically and ultimately end up being trendy social statements by the driver. (which surveys of owners have shown)

And even if they were the savior of the planet, that does not make the drivers more important, more priveledged, or otherwise entitle them to benefits.

The only reason I can think of for a hybrid driver to need to park closer to the building is because if they are stupid enough to get duped into buying a hybrid, they probably dont have enough intelligence to find their car in the parking lot.

Ah geez, those that love to debate will debate anything :-).

I'm not debating the technicalities of what is and what isn't an alternative fuel, so while I appreciate your above dissertation, that's not the point. The point is exactly as you said, "The only thing hybrids are are social engineering. " That's the biggest hurdle right now. So what if the net impact is the same, at least people are trying. Next up? Plug in hybrids, and that's when a real shift will start to occur.

And even if they were the savior of the planet, that does not make the drivers more important, more priveledged, or otherwise entitle them to benefits.

It does in my book!

[.RJ]

And even if they were the savior of the planet, that does not make the drivers more important, more priveledged, or otherwise entitle them to benefits.

It does in my book!

Just because they spent money on a new car, rather than continue to use an older car that returns good fuel economy?

Thats my big rub with the global warming/save the planet sham - there's a big marketing push that says "if you spend money on xyz product you're doing the right thing and helping the environment!" when we really ought to be looking at reduction and reuse.

[Apoc]

there's a big marketing push that says "if you spend money on xyz product you're doing the right thing and helping the environment!"

...and that's the entire premise for my objection to the parking policy.

[Evan]

And even if they were the savior of the planet, that does not make the drivers more important, more priveledged, or otherwise entitle them to benefits.

It does in my book!

Just because they spent money on a new car, rather than continue to use an older car that returns good fuel economy?

Thats my big rub with the global warming/save the planet sham - there's a big marketing push that says "if you spend money on xyz product you're doing the right thing and helping the environment!" when we really ought to be looking at reduction and reuse.

excellent point. Buying any new car is one of (if not the) single worst things an individual can do to the environment.

"Reduce,Reuse,Recycle" has been replaced by even more consumption to be green trendy.
But at least we have people like Pete to dictate what the "right" thing to do is.... :?

[Dave]

I'll give $15 for a hybrid badge for my dually! With all the commuting I do, I want to drive the HOV lane........

Now here's an interesting thought...
In theory, if these were alternative fuel parking spaces, you could take said dually and make it a vegi-diesel, and they couldn't say a damn thing.


Hrm, maybe I'll suggest this policy to my company and convert the truck...

[John]

On another odd note - when I was staying at the Palomar in DC a few months back - they gave me a $10 discount / day on parking since I had a hybrid (Prius rental)... a bit silly as the amount of material that are required for Prius' offset the lower carbon footprint on the environment. Environmentalists are a bunch of narrow-minded retards...

[Ole]

Environmentalists are a bunch of narrow-minded retards...

My vote for Quote of The Day!

[Ole]

I'll give $15 for a hybrid badge for my dually! With all the commuting I do, I want to drive the HOV lane........

Now here's an interesting thought...
In theory, if these were alternative fuel parking spaces, you could take said dually and make it a vegi-diesel, and they couldn't say a damn thing.


Hrm, maybe I'll suggest this policy to my company and convert the truck...

This is my plan after the 200K mi. warranty on the injectors expires......

[PDenbigh]

And even if they were the savior of the planet, that does not make the drivers more important, more priveledged, or otherwise entitle them to benefits.

It does in my book!

Just because they spent money on a new car, rather than continue to use an older car that returns good fuel economy?

Thats my big rub with the global warming/save the planet sham - there's a big marketing push that says "if you spend money on xyz product you're doing the right thing and helping the environment!" when we really ought to be looking at reduction and reuse.

excellent point. Buying any new car is one of (if not the) single worst things an individual can do to the environment.

"Reduce,Reuse,Recycle" has been replaced by even more consumption to be green trendy.
But at least we have people like Pete to dictate what the "right" thing to do is.... :?

I agree, RRR is great and holds a ton of answers.

But to Evan's quote, he said "And even if they were the savior of the planet,"

He didn't say that the prius was the savior, nor did he say that a badge is a savior.

If a technology comes out that is the savior of the planet, shouldn't we all embrace it and hold those that use it a little higher on the ladder?

The topic's been lost so carry on with your fun gentlemen ;-).

[Ole]

What about those of us that hold mutual funds that have oil company stocks....don't forget about us! We should get the better spots.

[Apoc]

If a technology comes out that is the savior of the planet, shouldn't we all embrace it and hold those that use it a little higher on the ladder?

Depends on the cost barrier to entry.

Were I to do anything, I'd park my motorcycle in a spot to see if it sparked any discussion or ill-will. Problem is any dumb ass can knock over a bike in spite and I doubt I'd get much sympathy.

[.RJ]

If a technology comes out that is the savior of the planet, shouldn't we all embrace it and hold those that use it a little higher on the ladder?

Why should we use a financial incentive (and HOV/Parking is financial - time is money, whether real or perceived) to encourage people to do the correct thing*?

*I dont agree that 'hybrid' vehicles are the right direction but I'd rather ignore that for the sake of discussion since it could be applied to anything (bio diesel, electric, etc).

[BLINGMW]

The only reason I can think of for a hybrid driver to need to park closer to the building is because if they are stupid enough to get duped into buying a hybrid, they probably dont have enough intelligence to find their car in the parking lot.

:lol: This discussion pleases me.

[PDenbigh]

Why should we use a financial incentive (and HOV/Parking is financial - time is money, whether real or perceived) to encourage people to do the correct thing*?.

Put mice in a maze for 2 weeks and put cheese at the end. At the end of two weeks, put hole right in the middle of the correct path. The mice will run right over the hole and fall in, even though the *right* thing to do is to not fall in the hole. Same applies here, just replace the mouse with people and let Channing put knives in the bottom of the hole.

In other words, people are ignorant creatures of habit. We often need encouragement (some more than others...) to do the "right" thing.

[Maengelito]

before I start this reply, for the record, I agree with RJ and Chris and Evan...

If a technology comes out that is the savior of the planet, shouldn't we all embrace it and hold those that use it a little higher on the ladder?

I totally agree with what you're saying. Automotive technology is always maturing. Are electric cars the end all be all of transportation of human beings? Probably not. Will electric cars make a big impact in the future? They most likely will. Batteries and fuel cells are certainly important to more than just cars and are no where near maturity. That sort of technological advance doesn't happen overnight. However, this is where I agree with RJ and Chris and Evan in the way that its marketed as being green and responsible when the net energy usage for a new Prius for example may actually be higher than for a regular car. Its retarded that people will look at only the bottom line where a regular car will get me X mpg whereas the Prius will get me X+15mpg neglecting for example the hundreds of pounds of batteries that are manufactured from minerals that are mined which cause a lot of bad things to happen to wherever they're mined.

Why should we use a financial incentive (and HOV/Parking is financial - time is money, whether real or perceived) to encourage people to do the correct thing*?

*I dont agree that 'hybrid' vehicles are the right direction but I'd rather ignore that for the sake of discussion since it could be applied to anything (bio diesel, electric, etc).

RJ, you're right but lets face it, money is the driving motivator for a lot of people. Its why it says "You will save $X per year in electricity costs" in large bold letters on the packages of compact flourescent lights. Its why you hear more about people car pooling at the same time when you hear about record high gas prices. In the end, "whats in it for me?" is whats really going to change people's behavior.

[terdcivic]

Do a motor swap and park there...swapped cars are also technically "hybrids". In fact, before gasoline/electric hybrids were around, swapped cars were the only hybrids!

PS: anyone read about that new Tesla fully electric sports roadster? Instant torque!

[Jeff]

Do a motor swap and park there...swapped cars are also technically "hybrids". In fact, before gasoline/electric hybrids were around, swapped cars were the only hybrids!

PS: anyone read about that new Tesla fully electric sports roadster? Instant torque!

Wow, two different definitions of "Hybrid" being used here.

[terdcivic]

yea, the first i ever heard the term 'hybrid' used to describe cars was in the mid 90's and used for cars that had motors that they did not leave the factory with. so technically, that's the original definition of a 'hybrid' car.

the whole tesla roadster comment was just on a side note, since it is in no way a hybrid car, but an alternative to a gasoline-powered car. i hear it's fun and quick, but the transmissions need some work.

[Feersty]

I think motorcycles should get priority parking because they take up less room on the roads, and never cause backups, unless they are in accidents.