Answers

19 answer(s)

<< First   < Prev   [1]   [2]   [3]   [4]   Next >   Last >>

Reply	Graham says: I tried to ask several 'green' bodies this, the only one replying being the Carbon Trust.......who replied that they didn't know.  (1 vote) average rating:5 Tags: technology, unanswered, transport, environment.
	posted on 2008-04-17 09:35:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Steve says: I think that there are too many variables to give you personally an answer.To work it out we'd have to know the cost (environmental) of producing a new car, the cost (environmental) of running your existing car, the cost of running the new car, exactly how much and what type of driving you do, the projected longevity of your existing car and what would happen to your existing car if you replaced it.With all that data it should be possible to work out the environmental costs of either of the two choices presented. Without it any answer is just guesswork.  (1 vote) average rating:5 Tags: technology, unanswered, transport, environment.
	posted on 2008-04-17 13:31:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Mason Inman says: A recent study estimated that for an average car, assuming average use, that about 12% of its greenhouse gas emissions were due to making the car. Driving a hybrid car cut the greenhouse gas emissions by more than twice this amount. To tell an individual what to do personally, of course we'd have to know more details. But in general it sounds like replacing a regular car with a hybrid would cut emissions overall, even when factoring in the emissions due to making the car.Here's the study: "Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: Implications for Policy," Environmental Science Technology, 5 April 2008:http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/esthag/asap/abs/es702178s.htmlAnd here's a blog post by one of the authors of that study, giving more information, in simpler language:http://sustainableresearch.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-research-life-cycle-assessment-of.htmlBut even hybrids emit a significant amount of greenhouse gases, so they're nowhere near carbon-free. Probably the main thing you can do is try to drive less, although this is easier said than done.  (1 vote) average rating:5 Tags: technology, unanswered, transport, environment.
	posted on 2008-04-17 16:53:00 | Report abuse

Reply	The anonymous man says: EDon't buy a Prius! Other cars have a better fuel consumption than it: it does about 38 miles to the galleon, not whatever it claims.Why not wait until the alternatives (hydrogen, electric, pressurised air) are out: your emissions would be very low then!  (no votes) Tags: technology, unanswered, transport, environment.
	posted on 2008-04-17 20:42:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Susan C. says: Steve's answer is the most comprehensive. Greenhouse gas emission is only one aspect of a car's environmental impact. Another obvious one would be fossil fuel consumption, including all the transportation involved in getting the parts for the new car. There are the plastics used in the components, the water used to cool and clean, etc.I'd guess it's better to drive your old car until it's no longer safe, or until the repairs and maintenance are so great that they outweigh the impact of making a new car.  (1 vote) average rating:5 Tags: technology, unanswered, transport, environment.
	posted on 2008-04-18 05:27:00 | Report abuse

<< First   < Prev   [1]   [2]   [3]   [4]   Next >   Last >>