Drivers, Start Your Engines! Energy & Cars

Questions to consider: 1. How did you get to school today? Why did you choose this method? 2. Would you consider your mode of transportation to be environmentally friendly? If yes, why? If no, what might be a better option?

Questions continued 3. When buying your first car, what are the typical factors that should be considered? 4. How can circumstances impact the selection of a car? (i.e. structure of the family; occupation, etc.) 5. Which types of cars are most fuel efficient? Why? volkswagen-xl1-review.cnnmoney volkswagen-xl1-review.cnnmoney efficient-cars/index.htm efficient-cars/index.htm

Pros & Cons 6. Make a T-chart identifying the pros & cons of hybrid cars. Consider: the best example of a hybrid is the Toyota Prius. It has 2 power sources: 1) gasoline – that powers the internal combusting engine & 2) battery for the electric motor 7. After comparing your list with the next slide, in your opinion, do the pros for hybrid cars outweigh the cons? alternative-fuel/do-hybrid-cars-hold-up/ / / alternative-fuel/do-hybrid-cars-hold-up/ / / Pros of Hybrid Vehicles Cons of Hybrid Vehicles

ProsCons -Cars can go further on a gallon -Emit fewer pollutants into the environment -There are some tax breaks, special traffic lanes & parking spaces for these cars -It is an attempt to reduce our dependence on foreign oil -Just because it’s a hybrid, doesn’t mean it’s good for the environment (ex. Lexus SUV Hybrid) only gets 21 mpg -Prius gets 40 mpg around town but mileage decreases in efficiently on the freeway -With 2 energy sources, cars carry extra weight so they are more expensive (approximately $6000/car) -The battery pack takes space from passengers & cargo -An un-recycled battery pack weighs 100 pounds & poses a major environmental hazard -A big hybrid push may punish people who save the old-fashioned way (using less gas with smaller, lighter cars)

Questions continued 8. How efficient do you think cars today are compared to cars built 50 years ago (~1960s)

9. Select one cartoon & explain it’s meaning.

Assignment Create your own environment-related political cartoon. Consider any of the topics we have studied Include a colorful visual, slogan or phrase

Political Carton You are going to pick an environment-related topic to create a political cartoon. Remember that a political cartoon attempts to give a message The cartoon should be original, colorful, and demonstrate effort

Optional Extra Assignment In small groups, you will work as “Special Advisors” hired as consultants for four different families from around the U.S. You will be given limited information about the family you are representing but are encouraged to be creative in adding information (ages, pets, number of drivers, professions, hobbies, etc.). Discuss whether or not public transportation is available in the area, the average income of the family, & any other relevant information that may be relevant.

Special Advisor Groups Group 1: Family of 4 living in the Bay area of San Francisco, CA with an average commute time of 3 hours round0trip per day from Oakland, CA to SF, CA Group 2: Family of 2 living in Brooklyn, NY with an average commute time of 1 hour per day, from Brooklyn, NY to Harlem, NY Group 3: Family of 6 living in suburban Orlando, FL. The family members are generally about 15 min. from school & work obligations. Group 4: Family of 1 living in Austin, TX with an average highway commute time of 45 min to 1 hr each day, round- trip.