Buying a car usually means contributing to one of the strongest forces against the environment: pollution. The fumes add to the smog hovering above us. Oil spills can bring damage to our water supply. These add to our global climate promoting global warming which, in turn, will give us more trouble in the future. Cars impact the environment from the time they are being made up until they are disposed. This makes you think. Should you not buy cars at all? Not necessarily. You can buy green.
“Green cars” is the term for more environmental friendly cars as opposed to traditional all-petroleum vehicles. These cars are usually smaller and lighter, using less energy. However, to go green, there are also some measures people can do to reduce their consumption of energy. Cars can use biofuels instead of petroleum fuels, using renewable energy. Drivers can enhance fuel economy by removing unnecessary items that add to the weight of the car. Drivers can also consolidate trips by planning and carpooling.
Numerous green cars have already been introduced into the market. Hybrids are good examples. Hybrids are partly electric and partly petroleum powered cars. Examples of these are the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Toyota Camry Hybrid. They have better gas mileage, cleaner emissions, and help you save money. They can be a bit more expensive to buy, but you can often get your money back in 5 years or less thanks to the better fuel economy.
Biodiesel is also an option you can take. This is a clean, carbon-neutral fuel that is vegetable-based. It should run in any diesel car or truck with no engine modifications required.
Electric cars are also gaining popularity. An example of an electric car is the Dodge Zeo. These are cars that run on an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. The car has an electric battery that needs recharging between uses. There are also hybrid cars with batteries that can be charged externally. These are called the plug-in hybrid vehicles. These are just some of the types of cars that are more efficient and have better fuel economy than most conventional cars.
Clearly, there are already choices out there for the environmentalist in you. Considering the savings in fuel, another reason to buy one of these cars would just be the savings over time. Buying a car does not necessarily mean you will be harming the environment. With the right practices and the right green car, you not only get convenience and comfort, but you’re helping the earth as well.
Tags: Go Green
