Fuel & Emissions
All over the world people are experiencing air quality changes due to vehicle emissions. Particularly in the peak of summer, cities have worsening air quality to the point where it has become "normal" to hear air quality warnings. In some regions of the world vehicle emissions are responsible for 90% of their air quality issues.
Traffic congestion is one part of the issue, as it is responsible for wasting 7.3 million gallons of fuel annually while cars sit idling in gridlock. Some feel the solution is to build more roads, while others feel enough land is already devoted to roads and parking lots. Blacktop contributes to global warming as it traps the sun’s heat and causes the area around it to become blazing hot and dry.
In some areas, tollbooths have been used as a powerful persuader for people to opt for alternative transit and car-pooling. Increasing taxes on pollution causing items and decreasing those that are not is another option that is being put in place. Electric highways are actively under construction, enabling electric vehicles to have places to charge up along the entire trip. Tax exemptions are available for eco-friendly cars, while increased taxes are being imposed on air polluting vehicles. Some regions are also providing insurance incentives.
Vehicle manufacturers are rising to meet the consumer demand for more environmentally friendly products. Toyota and Ford, for instance, have incorporated hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel cell technology in some models. Solar powered cars have been released on the market to the point where it is no longer a surprise to see one on the road. Bio-diesel buses are being utilized in many communities and are powered by fuel converted from sewage, used cooking oil, or composting facilities.
All of these are exciting and important steps toward a more sustainable future. Yet, for those of us that must continue driving late model cars, there are still many ways to help in the decrease of pollution.
At the station, purchase the cleanest burning fuel available. Plan your shopping trips and park in a central area to avoid using the vehicle as much as possible. Never, ever, idle the vehicle - turn it off when you are waiting for someone. Be sure to replace the filters and plugs regularly, keep the motor well-tuned and maintain properly inflated and balanced tires - doing so can reduce the cost of running the vehicle and you can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 15%.
Traffic congestion is one part of the issue, as it is responsible for wasting 7.3 million gallons of fuel annually while cars sit idling in gridlock. Some feel the solution is to build more roads, while others feel enough land is already devoted to roads and parking lots. Blacktop contributes to global warming as it traps the sun’s heat and causes the area around it to become blazing hot and dry.
In some areas, tollbooths have been used as a powerful persuader for people to opt for alternative transit and car-pooling. Increasing taxes on pollution causing items and decreasing those that are not is another option that is being put in place. Electric highways are actively under construction, enabling electric vehicles to have places to charge up along the entire trip. Tax exemptions are available for eco-friendly cars, while increased taxes are being imposed on air polluting vehicles. Some regions are also providing insurance incentives.
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| 2-part book series: Trash Talk, It's Easy To Be Green |
All of these are exciting and important steps toward a more sustainable future. Yet, for those of us that must continue driving late model cars, there are still many ways to help in the decrease of pollution.
At the station, purchase the cleanest burning fuel available. Plan your shopping trips and park in a central area to avoid using the vehicle as much as possible. Never, ever, idle the vehicle - turn it off when you are waiting for someone. Be sure to replace the filters and plugs regularly, keep the motor well-tuned and maintain properly inflated and balanced tires - doing so can reduce the cost of running the vehicle and you can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 15%.
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