While I don't disagree that nickel is harmful to the environment, so is the lead in the Hummer's lead-acid battery. Assuming a 5 year life expectancy for the battery (of course this is totally up for debate as it depends on factors like climate and how often you start your Hummer), and a 12,000 miles per year of driving (average right?) that's 5 batteries in that 300,000 miles the Hummer will supposedly last. Luckily both the Hummer's lead-acid and the Prius's NiMH are recyclable. Both metals are mined however to get their raw forms. China is the number one producer of lead. I have not found any information about their environmental programs. Here is a link to Canada's nickel mining plant plans. http://tpc.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/tpc-ptc.nsf/en/hb00416e.html
I have not been able to find any information about whether or not raw materials are even used to make batteries these days. It is entirely possible that mostly recycled resources are used. And if you are basing your Hummer purchase solely on nickel mining in Canada, I think you are on shaky ground. This subject has been debated for nearly a year on Digg. http://digg.com/tech_news/Why_Your_Hummer_Consumes_Less_Energy_Than_a_Prius
Truemors
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at 18:55 on May 29th, 2007
While I don't disagree that nickel is harmful to the environment, so is the lead in the Hummer's lead-acid battery. Assuming a 5 year life expectancy for the battery (of course this is totally up for debate as it depends on factors like climate and how often you start your Hummer), and a 12,000 miles per year of driving (average right?) that's 5 batteries in that 300,000 miles the Hummer will supposedly last. Luckily both the Hummer's lead-acid and the Prius's NiMH are recyclable. Both metals are mined however to get their raw forms. China is the number one producer of lead. I have not found any information about their environmental programs. Here is a link to Canada's nickel mining plant plans. http://tpc.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/tpc-ptc.nsf/en/hb00416e.html
I have not been able to find any information about whether or not raw materials are even used to make batteries these days. It is entirely possible that mostly recycled resources are used. And if you are basing your Hummer purchase solely on nickel mining in Canada, I think you are on shaky ground. This subject has been debated for nearly a year on Digg. http://digg.com/tech_news/Why_Your_Hummer_Consumes_Less_Energy_Than_a_Prius
I think I'll stick to my Prius.