April, 2008
Cars are battling it out with airplanes and cows for the title of environmental enemy number one. But the vast majority of New Zealanders still need their own vehicles. So how can you minimise the damage without resorting to a horse and cart?
Minimise the amount you drive, the size of your vehicles and their engines, and how many vehicles you own. You don’t need a 4×4 unless you regularly drive off road in wet conditions, or a powerful sports car unless you wish to look very selfish. Every time you jump in the car, look in the mirror and ask yourself honestly: do I really need to drive, or is this habit, laziness or lack of planning? Could I use this journey to do more than one thing? Do I need more than one vehicle, or better co-operation and vehicle sharing with family and friends?
Hybrids are a more eco-friendly choice than a new conventional vehicle with a similar-sized engine. But you can’t floor it up the moral high road just by joining the hybrid owners club alongside the likes of Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio. Hybrids are not made of organic hemp and fairy dust. They include lots of plastics and synthetic materials, and require a lot of energy to manufacture. Despite the development of lower polluting battery packs of lithium and nickel rather than lead, you will need to look after your eco-car and drive it efficiently to ensure the benefits of your new vehicle outweigh its environmental cost.
Downshift into the second hand recycled car market. If you sell your oversized vehicles they may stay on the road for a while with somebody else, but you will reduce your consumption of resources and help to undermine demand for brand new versions of these cars. But you need to shop around for quality and get any potential purchases thoroughly tested, as fuel efficiency and emissions can worsen over time.
Your car does not need to be a substitute lounge. Whether buying new or second hand, seal the deal with a KISS – Keep It Simple and as Small as possible. According to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, the maximum optimum engine capacity for a family of four on longer journeys is only two litres. However, fuel consumption varies widely within each engine size. For example, the most efficient three litre engine on the market uses fuel more economically than the least efficient 1.6 litre engine.
Finally, be wary of false measures of efficiency. Remember that anything measured in money is unlikely to include the full environmental costs, which motorists are not paying at the moment, despite heavy taxes. However, keeping a record of your fuel use and costs will help you weigh up your motoring options. It may also inform decisions about where you live and work. With the cash you save you can green up other areas of your life.