ALT-8 Are Hybrid Cars Cool or Uncool – Cool
The very title of this article raises an interesting question of our collective attitude toward energy and the environment. Are people buying hybrid cars simply because they're fashionable? Or are they purchasing them because they truly desire to help decrease global oil consumption and curtail global warming?
In deference to what I believe this topic is implying, hybrid cars such as the Honda Civic hybrid and the Toyota Prius most certainly have a "cool" factor. But then again, my new 2008 Honda Fit has just as much of a cool factor, and while not as gas-conserving as the Prius, it's still just as cool to me. So what's the difference? Mainly, my new Fit isn't necessarily billed as a "green" vehicle, at least to the extent the Prius and Honda Civic hybrid are.
In the context of eco-friendly hybrid cars being cool or uncool, we must take a close look at how the new green consumerism is impacting our society. And the question is an important one to consider: is the abundance of new green products good for today's environmental movement? Or are we buying our way to a greener world, thus perpetuating the same old American consumerism wrapped in an eco-friendly green package?
I would personally love to be a fly on the wall at a Toyota or Honda dealership in order to find out what would-be hybrid car buyers are saying. "Yeah, I see lots of people driving the Prius, and I just think it's a cool car. My buddy has one, and I'm thinkin' about getting one too. You know, keepin' up with the Joneses and all," one customer might say.
"Well I've been thinking about it lately, and gas being as expensive as it is these days, I know it would help lessen our dependence on Middle East oil and help our national security also. Plus with global warming and all," another may say.
Both customers think the hybrid car is cool, but while the first is seeking after appearance and popularity, the second is genuinely interested in how the car will help wean America off foreign oil while curtailing global warming.
In my opinion anyway, it's akin to a slap in the face of the environmental movement to keep buying hybrid cars and other green products just because it's hip or fashionable. Would I like to own a Prius? Of course. Would I think it's probably the coolest car out there? Certainly. But I should hope that the "cool" factor isn't the only reason customers are buying them; but rather that they are genuinely doing their part in helping ease both the energy situation and global warming.
In short, I think hybrid cars are cool. Let's just make sure we know what cool is before we rush out and purchase one.
