The transportation sector is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. Not only that, it is the biggest consumer of petroleum in the world. With the Covid-19 lockdown, the carbon emission fell considerably, and it ended up cutting back on global warming. This led to serious deliberation about the importance of eco-friendly cars. Eco-friendly is all the rage right now. The rising demand for greener alternative companies is spawning a new model by the minute. One might think of a hybrid or an electric car when deciding what car to opt for. As it happens, the most eco-friendly option might be the least glamorous one, a used car.
EVs and Hybrids:
- While electric vehicles don’t release carbon dioxide from the exhaust pipe, it still is responsible for a considerable amount of carbon dioxide emission at the power plant. The energy source most likely comes from a power plant powered by fossil fuels. For instance, virtually 83% of the electricity produced in America comes from fossil fuel-generated power. Studies reveal that the carbon emission from manufacturing an electric vehicle is more than that of a traditional car. The material required to manufacture it requires extensive use of resources.
- The problem with the hybrid models is analogous to that of Electric vehicles. While Hybrid may employ electricity instead of fossil fuel, it again depends on the method of producing the energy mentioned above. There lies the distinction between clean energy and energy that are ultimately detrimental to the environment. The car batteries used in hybrid cars are disastrous for the environment. They used nickel batteries, procurement of which has catastrophic consequences. It contaminates air, water, and soil. If not handled with utmost precaution, it can prove to be fatal.
How are used cars better?
- At first glance, new cars might seem more sustainable, but the reality is that we have to calculate not just carbon emission after production but something called lifetime carbon emission. This method calculates not only the carbon emission post-production but also the carbon emission at the production stage. According to a study conducted by Toyota in 2004, 28% of a car’s carbon emission is done at the production stage. Therefore, by being predisposed towards used cars, we might avoid carbon emissions at the production stage altogether.
- The newer cars might pretend to have better energy ratings, but the reality is that numerous cars from the 1970s have equal, if not better, fuel efficiency than cars in the present age. A considerable part of what makes something sustainable is how they use the resources available, particularly non-renewable resources. Therefore, it is important to consider how efficiently they utilize the resources.
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