When it comes to cars and the environment, bigger is never better! Next time you’re ready to buy or lease, go small and lessen the damage your driving does to the environment. The carbon emissions from the cars we drive are some of the biggest contributors to global warming and air pollution. More than half of a 2-car family’s carbon emissions come from the vehicles they drive, according to the Inter Press Service. Despite the rise of the SUV, fuel economy is now a crucial factor in car purchasing decisions. The popularity of small cars has soared recently as drivers realize the major environmental and financial benefits of having a lighter vehicle.
The difference between a small and a large car is dramatic. Even the best large car or SUVs only get about 20 miles per gallon on the highway, whereas a small car or hybrid can get 40 mpg or more. You can see how enormous this difference is when you consider the fact that the difference between 25 mpg and 20 mpg can total 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the car’s lifetime. With gas prices rising to ever-greater heights, having a small car can impressively reduce the financial burden of filling the tank. Having higher fuel efficiency means you will need to fill your tank less often. If you are in the market for a car, consider the big benefits of downsizing and going lighter. The environment and your bank account will thank you.
Take Action / Next Steps
Want to learn more? Click here to read about the benefits of smaller cars and other ways to drive greener on ecomii.
Try out this tool from the EPA that will evaluate the environmental impact of your car. Use it to compare different makes and models to see what kind of a difference a smaller car can make.
Did you know how much driving a smaller car can save you per year in fuel costs?
Consumer
Reports found that switching from a large car or SUV to a more fuel-efficient vehicle saved an average of $1000 dollars per
year at the gas pump.
Did you know that 33% of United States carbon emissions come from the cars we drive?
Large cars
with poor gas mileage are the biggest culprits. The United States is also the world’s largest consumer of oil.
According to EcoBridge, if we can get an average of just 3 more miles per gallon, we will save a million barrels of oil each
day.
Did you know that your car emits 20 pounds of carbon dioxide for each gallon of fuel it
burns?
The EPA points out that this is why buying a small, fuel-efficient car is one of the best ways to
reduce your personal contribution to global warming.
4.Leahy, Stephen. [5 June 2008] “Soaring Energy Costs May Force Low-CO2 Living.” Inter Press Service. Available from: http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=42682 [6 August 2008]
