| We now live in a society where more and more | | | | a way to recycle it in the future will become available. |
| people are becoming aware of the damage cars and | | | | Despite these challenges, there are many benefits to |
| pollution are doing to the planet. With the | | | | having hybrids. The technology that is applied to |
| ever-increasing gasoline prices, people want an | | | | hybrids improves the fuel consumption and economy |
| alternative option to their gas guzzling cars. Hybrid | | | | of the vehicle. This helps to reduce the drain on the |
| vehicles are becoming more popular to have; they | | | | world's fossil fuel resources. |
| are coming down in price and are now affordable for | | | | As well, there are more and more features being |
| the average family to own. | | | | added to hybrid vehicles. They are now fitted with |
| These cars are being marketed as the answer to the | | | | regenerative braking and an automatic shut-off/start |
| vehicle of the future, one that is friendlier to the | | | | system. Hybrids are capable of using the electricity |
| environment, and requires less dependence on fossil | | | | generated from within the car, resulting in much less |
| fuels. Although we are used to seeing hybrid cars, | | | | fuel being used. Some hybrid vehicles can also use |
| there are also hybrid bikes, and large heavy vehicles, | | | | renewable fuel sources such as biodiesel and ethanol |
| which also use hybrid technology. | | | | and some run on internal combustion engines. These |
| Hybrid vehicles combine the use of an electric engine | | | | cars are designed so when you are stopping or |
| with a gasoline motor. One of the components that | | | | slowing, the energy created is stored in the batteries |
| allow this technology to work is the element | | | | for a later time. When more power is needed then |
| dysprosium, a rare earth metal. Up to 100 grams of | | | | the vehicle will use what is stored in the batteries, |
| the element dysprosium is used in every vehicle. The | | | | meaning it is using its own power source. |
| dependence of hybrid technology on such a rare | | | | Hybrid cars have many advantages over electric cars. |
| earth metal is rather worrying for the manufacturers. | | | | They do not have to be plugged into a power |
| As with any natural resource, supply is limited, and in | | | | source to be recharged, which makes them more |
| the case of rare natural resources, the problem of | | | | efficient, as they do not require any special |
| scarcity compounds the problem. The concerns of | | | | resources. Unlike electric cars they produce their own |
| hybrid manufacturers are understandable; for as | | | | power source. |
| demand for hybrid vehicles grows, a key resource is | | | | If all cars were swapped over to hybrid vehicles, the |
| being depleted. Is this another energy crisis in the | | | | positive impact on the environment would be huge. It |
| making? Only time will tell. | | | | would also greatly reduce the amount of fossil fuel |
| China is where the majority of the element | | | | needed around the world. Hybrid vehicles are one |
| dysprosium is found, giving them effective control of | | | | step further down the road to a cleaner environment |
| the stocks. If China begins to raise the price for the | | | | and better future for us all, and are the only real |
| dysprosium element, then there could be a dramatic | | | | alternative to standard vehicles at the moment. Let |
| increase in the price for hybrid vehicles. As a result, | | | | us hope that the rarity of the element dysprosium |
| manufacturers are constantly working on ways | | | | will not create a problem down the road. |
| around the dysprosium shortage, and are hoping that | | | | |