Ok, it’s time to get real here people. The guy filling up his Hybrid vehicle does so at the same pump that I do. What makes it clean? Hell if I know. Sure, he might be burning less gas, which results in less waste hitting the atmosphere, but what if he isn’t?

The guy who isn’t is the one who spurred this rant. A big ole’ SUV with a hybrid logo on it (Lexus RX400h), and a Clean Fuel license plate. Surely at a bazillion pounds, that thing can’t be that efficient. I get to work, do a quick googling and sure enough, 25/27mpg of REGULAR GAS. Not “Clean Fuel,” but the same damn earth-eating fossil fuel that I pump in to my cars. Do I get a tax break? Nope. Do I get a free pass in HOV lanes? Nope. It doesn’t add up.

It really doesn’t add up when you take a non-hybrid, but highly efficient vehicle in to account. Is it really fair that the guy in his Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris or Corolla, or Nissan Versa not only beat, but demolish the efficiency of the Lexus, but reap no rewards for doing so? Hell, even my fifteen year old civic that is all race-prepped up gets 40mpg on my way to events. Do I get any sort of break for nearly being 50% more efficient than the guy in his SUV? Nope.

It could be argued that the gentleman did the right thing since he could have just as easily bought a non-hybrid version of the car, but even that is flawed. Why does a 55 year old man need a luxury SUV? To tote his dogs around? The Lord knows his kids already have kids of their own… The above linked cars ALL come in wagon form, and they cost a fraction of the price. Does he need to carry large items from the home-improvement store once or twice a year? Renting a truck or buying a crappy old pickup would be much cheaper and he wouldn’t have to worry about damaging his leather seats!

Someone, please share with me why by adding a little electric motor to a vehicle, it is considered “clean.” I can’t wait until they start making Hummer hybrids that get 16/18…