I Love My Car But I Love the Planet Too

I Love My Car But I Love the Planet Too

Nowadays, being a self-proclaimed petrol head can land you in an awkward conversation about the environment. There is no denying that car fumes have a significant impact. After all, we’re all aware of the risks of outdoor pollution. However, it doesn’t mean that petrolheads should feel guilty about their love of driving and cars in general. You can love your car and the planet at the same time. More importantly, you don’t need to buy an electric vehicle to prove to your friends that you’re a conscientious driver. Here are some of the ways you can stop feeling guilty about your car. 

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You can choose to drive less whenever possible

First of all, having a car is not quite the same thing as driving it everywhere. You can make a conscious choice to drive less to reduce your impact on the environment. For instance, switching to public transports or using the cycling path for short distances can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint. You can also arrange a car-sharing schedule with co-workers so that you can actively share miles and reduce the number of cars on the road. In other words, owning a car doesn’t mean you can’t use it responsibly. 

Changing your car is not always an option

While driving leads to high CO2 emissions, cars have more than one way of affecting the planet. The process involved in manufacturing vehicles is highly damaging – regardless of whether you own a diesel or an electric car. As a result, it’s fair to say that drivers who keep their vehicles for longer and look after their cars – from regular maintenance work to sct tuner improvements, for instance – are a positive force for the environment. Indeed, if all drivers were to keep their vehicles on the road for a few more years, car manufacturers could significantly reduce their production volumes. 

Are we ready to use electric cars yet?

Even though more and more manufacturers have promised to go electric, it’s fair to say that drivers are not convinced by rechargeable vehicles. Indeed, an electric car will need to be recharged sooner than you’d need to refuel your petrol engine. As a result, it may not be suitable for long-distance commutes. Additionally, despite the increasing number of charging stations throughout the US, EV owners continue to struggle to find a charge point on their route. Many have to research the most suitable itinerary ahead of the journey to identify where public chargers are. Additionally, while it takes only a handful of minutes to refuel a petrol engine, charging an EV can take the whole night, making long journeys almost impossible. Petrolheads have not bought an EV because vehicles are not suitable for everyday use. 

Are electric cars zero-emission cars? 

Finally, it’s important to mention that charging an EV can have a negative impact on the environment. Indeed, depending on how the electricity is produced, the vehicle may not help to tackle climate change. In other words, less fumes may not be a good thing, after all, if the charging method is not green. 

Should petrol heads feel guilty about driving their favorite cars? The answer is no. While you need to be more environmentally-aware in your choices, it’s fair to say that the EV revolution has still a long way to go. As for now, mindful petrol heads can be a positive force of change for a greener road behavior. 

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