Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

Here we are in the second month of the year and I have already achieved one of my 2012 goals – I purchased a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)!  People are often surprised that I didn’t already drive a hybrid.  Nope, I was still driving my beat up old Cavalier that I had been driving since my early college years, and had mixed feelings about making the leap to a new vehicle. 

Generally my philosophy is that we should use things until they are no longer useful before throwing them away or replacing them (have you seen The Story of Stuff?  I highly recommend it).  My Cavalier was an excellent car.  Sure there were some dents and dings; but in the 10 years I drove it, the little coupe never gave me a single problem.  The car was reliable and had been on many fun road trips.  About 11 months ago I found out that I was going to have my first child and knew that the time had come to start thinking about replacing this old beater.  For starters, it was a two door.  Two door car + infant car seat = lots of frustration and backache!  Besides, I was really starting to feel the need to drive a vehicle that says to the world… I care about the environment.  So the search began. 

Long story short, in June of last year Karen Schutte and I went to Cincinnati together for Greening the Heartland and I had the opportunity to drive her Toyota Camry Hybrid.  It was love at first… drive!  I narrowed my search to the make and model vehicle that I wanted, however, my husband and I decided to wait until I returned to work from maternity leave to make our purchase.  Lo and behold, on my second day back to work we found “The One”…  a 2010 model!  In addition to using less gas, I also managed not to contribute to carbon emissions that a non HEV vehicle would produce.  2012 is already off to a great start! 

Hybrid Electric Vehicles, often referred to as “hybrids,” combine the benefits of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for better gas mileage.  Regenerative Breaking powers the electric motor so it does not need to be plugged in to be recharged.  The US Department of Energy offers a great animated explanation of how HEVs work.  Click here to take a look.

Laura Bailey

Sustainability Director