Lexus GS

 


Toyota IQ

 


Ford Escape Hybrid

 

 

Environmental effects of green road vehicles

The term 'environmental effects' involves considering several issues. In essence we are asking the question 'what damage is done to the environment or to people, by the production, manufacture and disposal of motor vehicles?'

Health consequences of exhaust emissions
Exhaust emissions include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, unburnt fuel and particulates. These are toxic substances. Breathing in these poisons, especially amongst the young and the elderly, ar potentially harmful. These emissions also effect wildlife.

The environmental effects of stopping these poisons from being released into the air that we breathe will be significant!

Disposal of old and wrecked vehicles
A vehicle contains a range of materials that can be recycled. The main one is usually ferrous metal, although batteries and tyres are economically viable to recycle. It is important

Disposal of batteries
Batteries are economically viable to recycle.

Car tyres
There are car tyre recycling facilities which extract rubber crumb and steel from the tyres.

Car oil and fuel
Engine oil can be collected and properly recycled.

Ethically sourced materials
When considering the energy efficiency of building a vehicle, it becomes imperative to know whether or not the material used to make the vehicle has been ethically sourced! The questions to be asked are:
- Has a fair price been paid?
- Are we abusing a poorer nation by taking their resources for our own use?
- Has a poisonous mess been left for the poorer nation to have pay to clean up?

The above considerations are part of the true cost of the manufacture of a motor vehicle.