Hi Boox Popular Magazine 2024
Gas-powered vehicles have been the norm since combustible engines were invented over 100 years ago. Although this type of vehicle has allowed society to grow and expand, they have a downside too. Emissions from gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles pollute the air and cause environmental damage. In response to this problem, people have turned to eco-friendly cars to protect the environment and create healthier living conditions. While solar-electric cars may be the wave of the future, today’s electric and hybrid-electric eco-friendly cars are now becoming more affordable and widely available. They produce less harmful fuel emissions, save drivers money, and get better mileage than their gas-powered counterparts. These are the benefits of eco-friendly cars and why it is good to consider going green in the near future.
1. Reduces Fuel Emissions
Perhaps the most significant advantage of investing in a green car is the benefit to the environment. Fuel emissions damage the environment, reduce crop yields, and contribute to humans’ cardiovascular and respiratory health problems. Carbon dioxide ( CO2), a harmful greenhouse gas, accounts for 88.4% of the dangerous greenhouse gases released by the U.S. transportation sector.
Electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) use electricity to power the engine. These types of vehicles produce significantly less toxic CO2 equivalent than typical gas-powered vehicles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gasoline cars produce 11,435lbs. of CO2 equivalent, while PHEVs only release 5,680 lbs. All-electric vehicles only emitted 3,774 lbs. of CO2 equivalent on average. Green cars go a long way toward a cleaner environment and healthier life.
2. Better Mileage
Eco-friendly vehicles tend to have better mileage than gas-powered cars. In one example, the 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid boasted 52 miles per gallon, while the gas-powered equivalent came in at only 34 miles per gallon. The U.S. government website on the topic, FuelEconomy.gov, allows you to compare vehicles to gain further insight into how green cars match up to your current automobile. There is a process of conversion because electric cars run on kilowatt-hours (kWh). However, this site allows you to easily convert this data into miles per gallon for comparison. Many eco-friendly cars can go 100 miles on only 25 to 40 kWh, making them much more efficient than gas guzzlers on the mileage front.
3. Energy Security
Due to the sheer size of the United States and the distance most people travel in their gasoline-powered cars, there is heavy dependence on imported oil from other countries. This creates a political and economic dynamic that can be problematic. While HEVs still require gasoline, they use significantly less than typical combustion engine cars. As more people begin to switch to these EV or HEV vehicles, the dependence on foreign oil continues to dwindle, leaving room for domestic fuel production. This benefits the economy and lessens political and economic reliance on other countries.
Another aspect of energy security brought on by the rise of eco-friendly vehicles pertains to the shift from coal-powered electric plants to solar, wind, and hydro-powered energy. As green cars grow in popularity, electricity providers continue to work on sustainable methods of producing electricity to power the vehicles. In the past, coal, a fossil fuel that will one day be depleted, powered most electricity plants in the U.S. Now, companies are exploring alternative options that are better for the economy and the planet’s future. These advances benefit the environment and promote domestic economic growth and pair perfectly with the idea behind green cars.
4. Saves Money
Everyone likes to save money, and opting for an ecologically conscious car helps you do just that. Families that live in rural areas with no public transit system spend, on average, more than $1,300 per year on gasoline. Compare that cost with the Toyota Two Prius Eco’s estimated yearly fuel cost of $750, or the Tesla Model S 75 D that costs just $600 per year to fuel.
Of course, the amount of money you save with a green car varies according to the model and the routes you drive, but consistent research shows that EV and HEV cost significantly less in fuel than typical combustion engine vehicles. Besides fuel costs, there are several incentives to buying a green car. The U.S. federal and state governments offer tax credits to those who purchase eco-friendly vehicles. With these monetary advantages, you can put that money toward fun car accessories instead, such as a protective car cover from CarCovers.com that will keep your green vehicle looking great and running efficiently for the long haul.
Though a protective cover will significantly extend the longevity of your vehicle, it’s also critical to perform regular maintenance and keep the car clean. When you learn how to wash a car at home, you save even more money on your eco-conscious vehicle.
5. Embraces the Future
In 2024, the governor of California issued an executive order to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by the year 2035. The state is not alone in its decision; several additional states and the European Union are calling for a ban on cars that require gas and diesel fuels to run. With this worldwide push toward green transportation, it is beneficial to embrace these new technologies.
Buying an electric or hybrid car helps the environment and embraces the idea of improving the planet for future generations. On a practical level, going green now makes sense because in just over a decade, hybrid and electric cars will be the norm, so you’ll be ahead of the curve. More charging stations are becoming available, and manufacturers are working to develop vehicles that run efficiently and give drivers the same conveniences as the gas-powered vehicles they are used to.
Go Green When You Buy Your Next Car
If you’ve been considering buying an electric or hybrid-electric car, now is the time. Not only do green cars reduce harmful emissions that lead to environmental and health problems, but they also save you money in the long run and lead to less dependence on imported oil. The world is moving toward making eco-friendly vehicles the norm rather than the exception, so the next time you think about trading in your car or buying a new one, consider purchasing a vehicle that runs on electricity rather than gasoline.
