Demand for hybrid vehicles boon for environment - Expert

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

The growing demand for hybrid vehicles in the world and in particularly in Sri Lanka augurs well for the environmental sustainability and fuel efficiency. Therefore, the government should take prompt action to promote hybrid vehicles in the local market, ANC University College Associate Professor and expert on hybrid vehicles Dr. Nuraj I. Rajapakse told Daily News Business.

“Hybrid vehicles benefit not only the consumers, but the entire society and it supplements the efforts to preserve a green environment,” he said.

Hybrid vehicles, with their power supplied by a combination of gasoline and electricity have a 40 percent better mileage than comparable conventionally powered vehicles. Since less gasoline is required to drive similar distance, the hybrids reduce the reliance on imported crude oil that will save foreign exchange.

“Decreasing our dependency on energy supplies would help to make our nation more secure as the Sri Lankan economy in turn would be less vulnerable to fluctuations in the world oil market. Hybrids can reduce tailpipe emissions by up to 90 percent and the greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 50 percent,” he said.

The widespread use of cleaner hybrid cars has less impact on environment because of the reduced roadside emissions and could help to meet ozone standards in a less burdensome manner. The government in promoting the use of hybrid vehicles among the potential vehicle owners should provide tax credits and incentives to keep hybrid pricing affordable. It should join hands with vehicle importers and the car industries to develop more sustainable vehicles in an attempt to boost energy conservation.

“It will be an important national effort to promote hybrids in the country to protect the environment for future generations and to lessen the damage from automobiles to ensure health hazards are kept at a minimum level,” Dr. Rajapakse said.