Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of a Car

What is a Carbon Footprint?

Carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide which is emitted by a person into the atmosphere on an individual level. It is measured on the basis of greenhouse gas emissions from a product, person, or organization. In other words, a carbon footprint is when a collective of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is created by the working of any product or service.
Carbon footprint can also be defined as a certain amount of gases which are produced to support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide.

How cars contribute to the increase in carbon footprint :

In 2012, 1,511 million metric tons of carbon dioxide were produced by gas and diesel-powered vehicles. This was about 29 percent of total energy-related carbon emissions in the US, according to the Department of Energy. Carbon dioxide is generated by the combustion process which is used to power most vehicles. Most climate scientists believe this to be a major cause of global warming.

A regular passenger vehicle emits somewhere around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This depends upon various factors such as the vehicle’s fuel type, fuel efficiency, and number of miles driven per year. Almost all of the new cars sold still use the same old internal combustion engine. The Department of Energy says this doesn’t look set to change for the foreseeable future. An internal combustion engine mixes fuel with air in the combustion chamber to create energy. The mixture burns when it is ignited creating a great amount of energy while water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases are left behind as waste products. These waste products/gases are then released from the car tailpipe which then gets mixed with the atmosphere.

Top ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your car:

1. Electric cars

One can reduce one’s carbon footprint by simply taking a few measures. You can start making vehicles more efficient by changing the fuel type. For example, more than half of the cars in Europe run on gasoline (petrol). Thankfully, electric cars are gaining attention. Even though there is a small market share for electric cars at the moment, and electric vehicles account for just 1% of the US automotive market, new registrations for electric cars is observing a steady growth in the EU. Battery electric vehicle sales in the EU have increased to 51% in 2017 as compared to 2016.

While talking about the amount of carbon dioxide produced by a car, one must not only consider the emissions while using the car but also consider the emissions caused by its production and disposal. The production and disposal of an electric car is not as environmentally friendly as a car with an internal combustion engine. Electric car emissions depend upon how that electricity is produced. Talking about Europe, even considering the average mix, electric cars are proven to be more environmentally friendly when compared to gas and diesel cars. Considering the increase in electricity from renewable sources, electric cars prove to be less harmful to the environment in the long run.

2. Alternatives to driving

Using alternatives to driving is one of the simplest ways to reduce carbon footprint. You can start by walking or biking to reduce carbon emissions. While going to work, carpooling and using public transport can reduce carbon emissions on a larger level. Walking not only helps in reducing carbon footprint but also helps as a step towards a healthy lifestyle.

A study proved that one can cut down greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by walking a mile instead of driving to the same distance. Using carpooling applications like GoKid for the school carpool drive, families can save up to 3700 miles of driving each year. That sums up to 3367 pounds of carbon dioxide reduction along with the time and fuel expenses.When you reduce your driving, it can make you healthier. Along with helping the environment, you also become healthier day by day. To all those people who wish to go green, this can be your first step towards green living.

3. Ride to the Airport

Your way of travelling to the airport can have a great impact on carbon emissions and local air quality. If you use the train or any other public transport you can minimize carbon dioxide emissions, which is an effective way to reduce carbon footprint. To learn about aviation and climate solutions related to that you can check out Enviro Aero.

4. Drive a low carbon vehicle

If your vehicle is fuel-efficient, that does not necessarily mean it has low carbon dioxide emissions. Low carbon vehicles lead to a greener form of driving. Compared to any other standard car they emit fewer toxic greenhouse gases. While it does not eliminate the emissions completely, it is a step forward towards greener form of driving and helping the environment.

We know that cleaner forms of transportation are not always possible in day to day life. In rural areas, public transport can be difficult to find or may not exist, which is why a car would be the only practical option – but if you are driving a car, it is better to drive a low carbon car to minimize your carbon emissions.

Car manufacturers know that more and more people are moving towards greener models and are keen to minimize the impact of cars on the environment when they drive. Newer cars now have emission ratings which tell us how green the car is.
Owning a low carbon vehicle also has a number of financial benefits. Your running and fuel costs should be lower than if you were in a standard car model – and still lower if you are driving your car only when it is absolutely necessary.

5. Get a hitch-mounted cargo rack

If you do not need a 4 wheel drive, we suggest you not to buy a minivan or SUV. Instead of that, you can shell out just a couple hundred bucks and can get yourself a receiver hitch and a rack. You can also try not to get rooftop box as it increases the aerodynamic drag and decreases fuel economy.

6. Drive Better

As intriguing as The Fast and the Furious looks, impatient and reckless driving can really increase your carbon output. Along with that excessive acceleration, unnecessary braking can reduce your car mileage by 33% which is like paying $0.12 – $0.78 per gallon which is uncalled for and a waste. We advise you to drive and accelerate smoothly and drive the speed limit. Dutch researchers say that decreasing the speed limit to 80 km/h (50 mph) will cut CO2 pollution from transport by 30%. According to CE Delft’s study, less drastic reductions in maximum speed would yield reductions of 8 to 21 percent. A strictly enforced 50 mph speed limit would increase the time needed to cover a given distance, in addition to greatly reducing the amount of gas a car burns. That would encourage most people facing long journeys to abandon cars in favor of other travel modes, such as rail where available. Generally speaking, reducing carbon footprint is minimized by increasing driving speed. The quicker you go, the more energy you consume, leading to the exponential increase in wind resistance.

A 2008 report by GAO says you can increase your fuel economy by 10% just by reducing the speed by 5mph while driving 35 to 45 mph. Of course it depends upon the cars. This is why General Accounting Office took 13 cars made between 1988-2005. At 25 mph, the 1997 Toyota Celica averaged 52.6 mpg, while at 65 mph, the 1995 Oldsmobile 88 reached 34.1 mpg. Nonetheless, tests have shown performance falls above 65 mph precipitously. The Department of Energy reported in 2008 that it would save 175,000 to 275,000 barrels of oil per day by reducing the national speed limit to 55 mph. The U.S. produces some 19.5 million barrels a day. Nonetheless, the General Accounting Office is quick to note that a lower limit would have a limited effect in urban areas. We’ve already done this. A maximum speed limit of 55 mph was imposed in 1974 by the Maximum Maximum Speed Act. The aim was to decrease national use of oil by 2.2 percent, but the Transportation Department said it saved just 1 percent. Maybe that’s because the legislation has been largely ignored and barely followed. In 1995, the legislation was revoked and the power to impose speed limits was returned to the states.

7. Drive smarter

Looking for creative ways to reduce carbon footprint? Here we have listed a few. Make fewer journeys with your car. To make fewer journeys, mix errands. Remove the car’s extra weight. Traffic wastes valuable time, energy, and money— it can also be a killer of mood. So, try to leave early, wait for it, or use traffic apps to find another route. Move to pay-per-mile coverage By changing your insurance, you could save a lot of money if you find yourself riding less and carpooling / biking / taking the bus more.

8. Maintain Your Car

No one likes to see a car puff black smoke from the tailpipe or leak an oil stain at a red light. It’s terrible! Keep your car up to date so it can function efficiently. Replace the filters for air, oil, and fuel. Simple maintenance repairs, such as repairing defective oxygen sensors, will boost the gas mileage instantly by up to 40%. So who isn’t in love with extra gas mileage? Everyone knows that air pollution is caused by emissions from motor vehicles. Contaminated air can make breathing difficult for people.

Simple steps can be taken by everyone to reduce their emissions from motor vehicles which in turn is a good way to reduce carbon footprint. Car manufacturers have created cars that are 90 percent cleaner than they were 20 years ago, in accordance with the Clean Air Act. It is up to you to ensure the effective operation of your vehicle. Cars with poor maintenance often work harder, wear out more quickly and cause more air pollution.

9. Car Modifications

After-market performance modifications abound in some types of cars – louder exhaust pipes, modified air intakes, reprogrammed fuel injection. These features affect your fuel efficiency so it is better not to install them.

Larger tires and suspension lifts need to go too. Roof racks and cargo boxes should be put away when not being used, as they severely affect fuel economy, especially on smaller cars. Empty your car trunk too, as it takes extra fuel to carry around extra weight. More fuel usage means more impact on carbon footprint.

10. Get a Tune-Up

It will help to reduce air pollution and carbon footprint by allowing the vehicle to burn gasoline as effectively and efficiently as possible. Ask your mechanic to check these things:

A draft on carbon emissions and greenhouse gases was introduced in the Kyoto Protocol.

There are benefits to maintaining and utilizing your car in an efficient manner. These will help you benefit in saving money on gas and repairs resulting in improved performance and more importantly reducing the carbon footprint of your car.

It’s important that everyone breathes clean air. Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility.

Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of a Car

What is a Carbon Footprint?

How cars contribute to the increase in carbon footprint :

Top ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your car:

1. Electric cars

2. Alternatives to driving

3. Ride to the Airport

4. Drive a low carbon vehicle

5. Get a hitch-mounted cargo rack

6. Drive Better

7. Drive smarter

8. Maintain Your Car

9. Car Modifications

10. Get a Tune-Up

Are You a School or District Administrator Interested in Bringing Carpooling to Your School?

Quick Links

Important Links

Let’s Connect!