Hybrids take more energy to produce than large SUVs

Check out the Honda Accord or Civic or Toyota Prius hybrids and forget those big SUVs, the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Hummer H2, Ford Expedition, Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator.

But while hybrids consume less fuel than SUVs, it takes more energy to produce the parts and components — especially the electrical system — that go into making one than it does to produce the typical full-size SUV.