Opus 2013-130: On the Street: GPM

I was driving behind a Prius.  That is not an unusual occurrence in the People’s Republik of Kalifornia.  One of the tax-subsidized benefits of driving a Prius has been access to the HOV lane even when you are alone in the car.  I thought that rich-man bennie had been dropped, but I saw it on a bill board again.  As I was sitting in my Jeep, looking at the Green Machine, I realized something.  It was incredibly small.  Jeeps are not noted for being large but I was noticeably larger than this earth saver. 

So, understand that part of the economy of the Prius and other hybrids is not the miracle of a modern technology but the simple application of old physics.  Smaller cars get better mileage.  Lighter cars require less energy to move. 

Lighter cars also tend to become a crumpled mass when they meet another mass at almost any speed.  I might suggest that we have some truth in advertizing.  We talk about MPG and now that is modified to MPGe on the signs.  I don’t know that the “e” stands for.  I would suggest another measure, lets call it GPM or Graves per Mile. 

How much greater chance of dying do you have by driving a hybrid?  I don’t know the answer but my guess is that the odds of an early grave are greater in the small, light vehicle.  Since some of those in these cars might be children, maybe we should go back to older models.  After all it is for the children and if we can save one life it will be worth it, right?

homo unius libri