Hybrids are really no better for the environment and by some they are considered worse. The huge battery packs that need to be replaced at the 8 year mark or so are horrible for the environment. The boost in gas mileage is really of no benefit. I actually read and article recently that said that the today's cars are so much more environmentally friendly in terms of emissions that in a city such as LA where there is much pollution, the air coming out of the car is cleaner than the air going out. I think it would be better to look for an Ultra Low Emmissions or Practically Zero Emissions Vehicle rather than a hybrid. Here's a list of Green cars for 2007.... there are many that are not hyrbids.
http://www.greenercars.com/byclass3.html#LRG
this is all true... plus there was an environmental impact just in the manufacturing of those battery packs, in addition to their future disposal, as you mention.
oh, btw-- your link is just to the "large" car section of greencars. some people may not realize there are links to other categories of cars.
basically the categories for emissions are as follows:
LEV = low emissions vehicle
ULEV = ultra low emissions vehicle
SULEV = super utlra low emissions vehicle
PZEV = "partial credit" zero-emissions vehicle
all new cars sold in the US must be LEV or better.
most smaller, compact cars are at least ULEV and some are SULEV or PZEV
all hybrids are PZEV
SULEV and PZEV are THE SAME THING except that PZEV also includes a federally mandated 15 year / 150,000 miles warrany on all emissions components on PZEV cars. in low emissions states (CA, NY, MA, VT, ME, RI), car manufacturers have to sell a certain percentage of cars that are PZEV, but you can usually buy PZEV cars in other states as well.
trucks are still largely exempt from these ratings, but within a couple of years all new trucks will also have to be LEV or better.
all hybrids are PZEV. many non-hybrids (including my car
) are also PZEV. btw, my car has plenty of "zing" (160hp) yet gets 32mpg and is PZEV, so you can have your environmental cake and eat it too
without necessarily having a hybrid.