so u bought a fancy new car...

Its like the batteries for the Prius. The nickle is mined and smelted in Canada (in a refinary that produced so much pollution it created a "dead zone" in a nearby valley where almost nothing grows). Shipped to Europe and refined. Sent to China and made into "foam". Then sent to Japan to be made into the final battery form. Then the completed batteries are sent to the US. It travels completely around the once before the car is even built.

The estimated cost per mile of the Prius over it's average life? $3.25. A hummer? $1.95.

Can't tell me that's "good" for the environment. Us buying and repairing and essentially "recycling" old cars is much better for the environment. How much scrap and junk do we save from being dumped every year? More than enough to offset our fuel burning habits.