Here are my hybrid questions:
What is the environmental impact of those batteries?
1. Those will need to be replaced. How do the heavy metals used in their manufacturing impact the environment?
2. And what about cars that will meet an early end when it's not economical to replace the batteries - doesn't a shorter car life mean an environmental impact?
about the batteries,
only a fraction of their capacity is used,
since the batteries don't do all that much,
the batteries are expected to last the life of the car
To be fair, the whole cycle should be looked at.
Probably the most environmentally-friendly choice would be a used small car. You might put out a bit more emissions, and perhaps get slightly less fuel economy, but you're saving all the manufacturing impacts of building a new car. On the other hand, if everyone did this, it might not be healthy for the world economy.
I went half-way, and got a used mid-size diesel car. I just have a mild dislike for gasoline engines.