Due to legislation and growing consumer demand, car brands are taking more steps than ever to minimise the environmental impact of their products throughout their lifecycles, from production and operation to disposal. So, what’s being done – and what might you look for if you want a car that won’t ‘cost the Earth’?
First, let’s acknowledge that no car is truly ‘environmentally friendly’ – but careful consideration of what we buy can reduce its environmental impact. Second, how a car is used and cared for also has an effect – doing fewer miles wherever possible is kinder, and properly inflated tyres can greatly improve efficiency. Beside these key factors, you can also look at:
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Powered entirely by electricity stored in batteries, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions and can be charged using renewable energy sources, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions. EVs use regenerative braking (as can all cars with any kind of hybrid powertrains) to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost when slowing down, increasing their efficiency further. Almost every mainstream car brand now has EVs in its lineup, including EV versions of regular models.
Hybrids: These combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions compared to cars with conventional engines. Note that ‘mild hybrids’ use a smaller electric motor and battery just to provide extra power, and cannot run on electric power alone.
Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs): Similar to hybrids, but with a larger battery that can be charged from an external power source, allowing for extended electric-only driving – which for some people may allow them to drive on electric power alone for many of their journeys.
Eco-friendly materials and technologies: While it’s not always easy to find information on this, manufacturers are using more recycled materials than ever before in cars. For example, Volvo uses recycled denim in parts of the EX30’s interior, Jaguar Land Rover is already using significant amounts of recycled aluminium in its vehicles, and natural materials such as bamboo, flax and seaweed are already used to create seat coverings and other interior components by multiple brands.
Sustainable manufacturing practices: Eco-friendly manufacturing practices – such as using recycled materials, reducing water usage and recycling waste water – are already widely practiced.
Where your car is made and how it is shipped: Not all cars are made where we imagine, meaning their journey to where we use them could be longer or shorter than assumed. The Nissan Juke and Qashqai, for example, are made in Sunderland, while the BMW X5 is produced in the USA. Manufacturers are looking at the environmental impact of shipping: Volvo’s shipping partners have all switched to renewable fuels, reducing fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from intercontinental ocean freight by around 50,000 tonnes each year.
We’re realists – we know that sustainability is unlikely to be the very first thing on your list when choosing a car. But what you choose – and how you run it – can reduce your environmental impact.
If you’re looking to buy a car, speak to us today. We’ll do all of the hard work – from making recommendations and sourcing to recommending where to get it serviced – delivering you joy without the hassle.