YOU’RE A RESPONSIBLE MOTORIST and you want to buy a new car that has a minimal impact on the environment, so how do you go about it?
Most people will put environmental concerns a fair way down their list when it comes to essential considerations for their new car, but more and more are starting to make a more responsible decision. Some (unfortunately, too many) will have already stopped reading.
Most motor vehicles emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide and methane, none of which are good for the atmosphere.
As a general rule, the larger the vehicle, the more it will cost to run, the more it cost to produce (in dollars and resources) and the more CO2 it will produce.
Regardless of your environmental concerns, practical requirements will come first when shopping for a new car. Researching all the features, specifications and other elements of a new car can be a daunting task, but there’s good news on the environmental side. The Federal Government has developed a Green Vehicle Guide that provides useful information to buyers wanting to evaluate the environmental impact of specific vehicles. This Guide rates greenhouse and air pollution of most vehicles. The Guide can be accessed online at www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au
Fortunately, Australians have a wide choice of vehicles to choose from, including many that have less impact on the environment. These include hybrid, electric and diesel powered vehicles.
Diesel was once unpopular for its green credentials, but improved fuel and particulate technology has resulted in many diesel engines producing less CO2 than conventional engines. Newer diesel particulate filters remove the harmful particles and eliminated that unsightly (and noxious) black smoke.
Sadly, most environmentally friendly alternatives still come at a premium to conventional engines but taking into account increased fuel efficiency, the equation is not as unbalanced as it may at first appear. And you’ll be removing several tonnes of emissions from the atmosphere over the life of the vehicle.
In the showroom, look for the sticker on the windscreen that details the vehicle’s fuel consumption, always a good place to start for an ecological comparison. The sales person will also have plenty of information about how green (or otherwise) any vehicle is.
Buyers really committed to reducing their environmental footprint (or salving their conscience) may wish to take advantage of a carbon offset program. This program allows you to offset the CO2 your new vehicle will produce in your first year of ownership, including, if you wish, the CO2 produced to manufacture and transport the vehicle to you.
When considering the eco impact of your new car, don’t forget to factor in how much of the material used to build it was from recycled sources.
Once you’ve made a responsible decision, don’t let your driving style undo all the good work. Avoid aggressive acceleration and braking to conserve fuel and extend tyre life.
Eventually, when we’re all discussing the features of our new car, the topic of conversation may be the low fuel consumption and emissions, rather than how fast it can get to 100km/h.