Conventional Cars
Production
Many aspects go into the manufacturing of a car. However, most people do not consider the negative consequences that a car can create. The carbon footprint of a car is very complex because of how many components go into it. Ores have to be dug out of the ground to extract metal and many products such as tires, windshields, paint, and so on have do be added to the car as well. More than 50 percent of all emissions that come from a car happen during the manufacturing stage. Operation
The operation of a conventional vehicle also has a large impact on emissions released and harmfulness to the environment. A typical car will be driven 12,000 miles each year. During that time a typical car will emit about 6 tons of CO2 every year. Over time, this adds up fast. Not only is CO2 harmful for the environment, but nitrogen oxides (NOx) are as well. An average car emits about 18.32 lbs of NOx each year. NOx cause smog and acid rain. Lastly, while cars are being driven they cause wear and tear on the road. The friction that is created between the road and the car mix up particulate matter into the air we breathe. About .23 lbs of particulate matter are put into the air each year for each average car. |
Cost
The average automobile costs around $30,000. However, this is far less than the amount of money a consumer will spend to provide maintenance, tax, and refuel the car in its lifetime. With the fluctuating gasoline prices many people do not know if they should invest in a more environmentally friendly car because they never know how much they are really going to have to spend on their gasoline. A typical person can spend between $4,000 and $15,000 a year just to fuel their car. Also, maintenance will cost the owner more than $4,000 in the first 5 years of owning the car. Although a conventional car is the cheapest option when first purchased compared to electric cars, or fuel cell cars, the negative impact they cause on the environment and the amount of money they take to maintain is something to greatly consider. Total Emissions
A typical new car generates more than 17 tons of CO2 while being manufactured. This is almost as much as 3 years worth of electricity used in a home. Every year about 6 tons of CO2 are emitted per car driven. 18.32 lbs of of NOx are emitted per year by an average car. And the particulate matter that cars mix into the air are a leading cause in respiratory and cardiovascular health problems. If we take the total emissions that come from the auto industry as a whole and then divide it by the total amount of money spent on new cars then the footprint they leave behind is about 720 kg of CO2 for about every $1,000 spent. |