The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is one of the main causes of global warming. Transport, and particularly cars, is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. To reduce your impact on the environment it’s important to know your vehicle’s carbon dioxide emissions. In this article, we take a closer look at car CO2 emissions, how to reduce car carbon footprint and what to do if your car fails an emissions test.
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Car emissions: What are emissions and how do you calculate them?
Carbon footprint is a metric that measures the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by an activity. The average UK person emits the equivalent of around 7.01 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Of this, 23%, or around 1.6 tonnes, comes from transport.
Figures published by the Department for Transport show that in 2018, passengers travelled 808 billion kilometres in the UK. Of these, 83% were travelled by car, van or taxi, highlighting the heavy reliance on these types of vehicles. As further evidence of Brits’ reliance on cars, data released by the RAC Foundation shows that 61% of all journeys in 2019 were made by car.
The average number of miles travelled per car fell from 9,200 in 2002 to 7,400 in 2019, but this is due to an increase in the number of cars per household. In total, there are 32 million registered cars in the UK. As people move outside cities in search of cheaper housing and more space, they have become more reliant on their cars for both short trips and long commutes.
All of these journeys burn fuel, which produces greenhouse gases and plays a key role in climate change and increasing air pollution. Generally, the lighter the car, the less energy it requires to operate. The type of energy used to operate the vehicle is also an important consideration.
Calculating a car’s carbon dioxide emissions is not that simple, however, and is not limited to just the gallons of gasoline used.
You must take into account: The CO2 emissions of the car
The emissions associated with the previous production of the vehicle fuel; The emissions associated with the combustion of the fuel (if required); and 4,444 The emissions associated with the materials used to manufacture the vehicle. So, regardless of the model type, a car’s carbon dioxide emissions will never be zero, even if it is an electric car.
Vehicle emissions: Electric, petrol and hybrid cars
- The government’s long-term goal is for most, if not all, drivers to buy electric cars.
- As part of this process, it plans to ban the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2030.
- As we’re at least one “car buying cycle” away from that date, it’s time to take a closer look at your car’s CO2 emissions.
How do CO2 emissions affect car tax?
- Car tax is one of the expenses you’ll need to budget for annually.
- The amount of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), also known as car tax, motor tax or road tax, you pay depends on many factors, including engine size, fuel type and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
- Simply put, the fewer your emissions, the less car tax you pay.
CO2 Emissions from Electric Vehicles
Most of the CO2 emissions during the life cycle of an electric vehicle occur during the production process before even a single kilometre is driven. This is due to the lithium-ion batteries, which account for almost half of the CO2 emissions emitted during manufacturing. However, electric vehicles are significantly less polluting than any other type of vehicle over their entire lifespan, unless the battery needs to be replaced.
CO2 Emissions from Hybrid Cars
A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses two different energy sources to get around. It combines an electric motor and an internal combustion engine (diesel or gasoline). The electric motor starts the car and drives it until it reaches a certain speed, and then the internal combustion engine takes over.
The combination of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine adapts the vehicle to use and avoids excessive fuel consumption. It has the advantage that the fuel supply network can be used at any time while keeping CO2 emissions low. Hybrid cars are therefore a way to move towards more sustainable cars that are not dependent on fossil fuels.
Carbon dioxide emissions from petrol cars
Petrol and diesel cars are known to be the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, which is why so many efforts are being made to eventually remove them completely from the roads. The average CO2 emissions per car are around 4 tonnes per year. But that’s not all.
Gasoline and diesel engines produce methane oxides and nitrogen oxides from their exhaust fumes, and fluorocarbon emissions from air conditioning system leaks. Although the emissions of these gases are small compared to CO2, the impact of their emissions can be significant because of their high global warming potential.
Where can I find my car’s emissions figures?
Look at your car’s V5C registration certificate, and your vehicle registration document, and you’ll find the emissions class there. You can also find out the fuel economy of your new or used car on your state certification agency’s website, or use a vehicle emissions tester.
Choose a more environmentally friendly car
If you cannot do without a car, it is important to choose the right car when buying, to use it optimally and to maintain it regularly. These measures are essential to limit the environmental impact of your car’s CO2 emissions.
Choose the right car when buying
The amount of CO2 a car emits is proportional to its energy consumption. It is therefore important to think about your needs before buying a car and, if possible, also choose a car that consumes less power. Each vehicle is sold with a maintenance booklet that describes the correct procedures for properly maintaining your vehicle.
A poorly maintained car can increase fuel consumption by 10%. Maintaining your vehicle therefore significantly will reduce car carbon footprint and save fuel.
What happens if my car fails general inspection due to emissions?
Emissions testing is an important part of the general inspection and is often the reason why a certificate is not issued. MOT stands for Ministry of Transport, the government body that issues roadworthiness certificates for all vehicles. Last year, more than 1.3 million cars in the UK failed their MOT due to emissions testing.
When this happens, it means you can no longer legally drive your vehicle on UK roads.
How can I reduce my car’s CO2 emissions?
Regardless of your car’s official emission class, you and your car benefit from reduced CO2 emissions. You get better performance, less fuel consumption and you protect the environment. Below are some important recommendations to reduce car carbon footprint:
- Use better fuel, and try premium instead of regular gasoline.
- Add detergent to your fuel tank from time to time.
- Change the oil.
- Replace the air filter.
- Check your tyre pressure and keep your tyres at optimal pressure.
- Turn off the air conditioning if possible.
- Remove the roof rack unless necessary.
- Don’t sit with the engine running, turn it off if possible.
- Drive carefully, change gears quickly, and don’t accelerate too quickly.
Green Cars of the Future
Automakers and automotive technology companies are already working on ways to transform cars and the driving experience into a new, greener world. These are just some of the innovative cars they’re working on:
Development of Hydrogen and Electric Vehicles
A hydrogen car is a car with an electric motor that is powered by electricity generated onboard by hydrogen fuel cells. In the cell, hydrogen comes into contact with oxygen from the air, which produces water. This chemical reaction produces heat and electricity to move the car.
Hydrogen cars have the advantage of being noiseless and not emitting any polluting or harmful emissions. Hydrogen is still in the experimental stage. The technologies related to hydrogen are still very expensive and therefore not very accessible. However, within a few years, hydrogen may be used as fuel in fuel-cell electric vehicles.
Increasingly greener biofuels
Advanced biofuels, called “second generation” (2G), are intended to replace oil in vehicles. They are new fuels obtained from biomass. These can be of plant or animal origin, for example from agriculture, forestry or organic residues. The carbon dioxide released when biofuels are burned is compensated as the plants grow.
Unlike fossil fuels, they offset greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
Smart electric vehicles
Smart electric vehicles limit urban pollution and are relevant for the mobility of the future. Autonomous and connected, they adapt to our lifestyle and at the same time meet new environmental requirements. However, for them to be a sustainable alternative, they must take into account the country’s energy mix.
Electric vehicles are only a solution if a country’s electricity is not generated primarily from fossil fuels such as coal.
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