- •Ecology friendly cars
- •2.1. Advantages
- •Energy efficiency: Cars with similar production energy costs can obtain, during the life of the car (operational phase), large reductions in energy costs through several measures:
- •Tax incentives Energy Policy Act of 2005.
- •- Classifications for tax credit certified vehicles
- •2.2. Disadvantages
- •2.3. Car Options
- •Ecology friendly cars in Russia
Piliposyan J.A
1st year of study, RTOP-21B, trade and technology Faculty
Dolgan A.G., PhD, senior teacher, Foreign Languages Department
Ecology friendly cars
Nowadays, when everything around, from cell phones to cars, consumes lots of energy and oil, it is becoming more and more important for Governments all over the world to think of new types of energy, saving and nature-protecting devices, especially cars. Why? – Because in the world of the 21st century the number of cars is increasingly growing, for example, only in Moscow it exceeds 5 million vehicles. So this report is devoted to a problem of ecological transport and its influence on the world’s economy.
It's probably harder than people might think to change their motoring habits to help save the planet. Several related but distinct subjects become hopelessly mixed up – saving money, energy security and need to contain or reduce CO2 emissions (carbon dioxide), as an example. Global trade and transportation of goods has become the basis for our modern way of life. However, transportation wastes our already limited natural resources and significantly contributes to a major challenge of the 21st century – Global warming.
More than a quarter of the world-wide CO2-emissions are caused by the transportation sector, with a tendency to grow faster than in any other sector. Therefore, the way we organize and handle the increasing demand and logistic flows is also gaining importance.
So the first part of this report tells about the most economical green vehicles and the second one – about advantages and disadvantages of their utilization.
The most economical car
Fuel economy is a hot topic and car firms are responding to global demand by making their cars ever-more efficient. It is now common to see new cars returning more than 80mpg: even mainstream family cars regularly consume more than 65mpg on average.
Low CO2 emissions go along with good fuel economy, so there is a double bonus in buying an economical car – paying less in tax. Both road fund license and company car tax are based on CO2 emissions: the lower they are, the less you pay.
So what ARE the most economical cars in Britain? MSN Cars is committed to bringing details of the cars with the best fuel economy on sale in the UK. We have selected all the free road tax diesel and petrol cars on sale in Britain here, to show how broad and far-reaching the low-emissions choice is in the UK now.
Green Car Guide |
Most economical cars in each class |
Most economical used cars under £3,000 |
Most economical used cars under £5,000 |
Most economical petrol cars |
The following table demonstrates the most popular and top selling “Green” cars, and their technical characteristics, which make these cars environmentally friendly.
Vauxhall Ampera/Chevrolet Volt
|
The current European Car of the year is the Chevrolet Volt and Vauxhall Ampera . Thanks to an ingenuous combination of electric-drive and petrol-powered electricity generator for when the circa-40 mile range is exhausted, they give EV motoring without the range restrictions, and a staggering official combined economy figure of 235.4mpg.
|
Toyota Prius Plug-in |
Toyota The Toyota Prius Plug-in is just that - a regular Toyota Prius with additional batteries that can be charged by 'plugging them in' to the mains1 electricity supply. As they can store more electricity, they allow an all-electric range of up to 15 miles before the petrol engine kicks in. Thanks to this, the official combined consumption figure shoots up, to 134.5mpg.
|
Fisker Karma |
The Fisker Karma combines two unlikely bedfellows – jaw dropping good looks and tree-hugging emissions. Designed by Henrik Fisker – who had a hand in penning the Aston Martin DB9 – the Karma is a series hybrid which employs a 2.0-litre turbo engine as a generator to re-charge its lithium-ion battery pack. With a powertrain that produces 397hp it isn’t slow – 0-60mph taking just 6.3 seconds. A claimed 62.4mpg and emissions of just 53g/km make this one guilt-free luxury saloon.
|
Toyota Yaris Hybrid |
Toyota has smartly combined the 1.5-litre engine and electric motor drivetrain of the Prius and Auris HSD with the lighter and more compact body of the Yaris. And the Result is The Yaris Hybrid. Because it's so much lighter than its bigger siblings, it's even more fuel-efficient, averaging up to 81mpg and emitting just 79g/km CO2 - Toyota's lowest-ever figure. It can travel even for around a mile using electric power alone.
|
Renault Clio
|
Eco by name, eco by nature – the newest version of Nicole’s runabout has a 1.5-litre diesel engine that’s capable of 88.3mpg and puffs out just 83g/km CO2. Wrapped in the brand new Clio’s clothes it’s a stylish and contemporary option for the budget-conscious supermini buyer. It also trumps the VW Polo BlueMotion and Ford Fiesta ECOnetic when it comes to green credentials.
|
Hyundai i20 1.1 CRDi Blue |
Hyundai has recently facelifted the i20 supermini and part of the revisions include the launch of a super-efficient diesel model, using the firm's excellent 1.1-litre three-cylinder engine. In eco-orientated Blue trim, it emits just 84g/km and averages an impressive 88.3mpg. Combined with great value prices, Hyundai has a compelling deal - the greenest regular-engine road car, for one of the best-value prices on the road. |
Kia Rio 1.1 Ecodynamics |
The roomy and practical Kia Rio five-door, five-seat supermini is a star when it comes to economy. With 88.3mpg and 85g/km CO2, Kia said it was the most economical conventional-engine car on sale anywhere in the world at launch. |
Smart Fortwo cdi |
The Smart Fortwo cdi diesel's long reign as most economical car on sale in Britain is over. Despite this, it still averages an impressive 85.6mpg. It only seats two, and the clattery diesel engine is not the fastest or most refined on sale. It is still economical enough to only now have been unseated as the UK's most fuel-efficient car, though.
|
Peugeot 208 |
With the 208, Peugeot has made its prettiest supermini since the classic 205. But it's not just a pretty face: the super-efficient 1.4-litre e-HDi engine is also very fuel-efficient too. It is capable of returning up to 83.1mpg and emits just 87g/km, with a clever and seamless stop-start system cutting inner city exhaust emissions too. This car has become one of the top selling ones |
Lexus CT200h |
Bringing hybrid power to the premium compact sector is the petrol-electric Lexus CT200h’s raison d’etre. The appeal of this car lies in the marriage of smooth hybrid drive powertrain and the lure of fantastic Lexus customer service and astonishing economy. Thanks to smaller wheels and a larger spoiler than the standard CT200h, the S model emits just 87g/km of CO2 and manages a pretty startling 76.3mpg. Low benefit-in-kind company car tax liability and road tax exemption, are the icing on the cake for this premium eco choice.
|
Volvo V40 |
The new Volvo V40 is a vital new family-sized five-door hatchback for Volvo, one that's gunning straight for the Volkswagen Golf. Right away, it's 1-0 to Volvo, thanks to an excellent average economy figure of 78.5mpg. Emitting just 94g/km CO2, it's more economical than any other Golf on sale.
|
Renault Clio 1.5 |
The Renault Clio is due for replacement in 2012 but this doesn't stop the current model scoring very impressive economy figures. The affordable Eco pack can be added to Expression models, improving average fuel economy to a healthy 78.5mpg.
|
Alfa Romeo MiTo |
Alfa Romeo is an evocative name and its affordable MiTo supermini means the famous brand is accessible by more people than ever. Efficiency is better than ever too. The smooth 1.3-litre diesel can average 78.5mpg, making it the most economical Alfa Romeo there has ever been.
|
Fiat 500 |
The revolutionary two-cylinder turbocharged TwinAir petrol engine in the Fiat 500 is cutting-edge technology that is both powerful and fuel efficient. Take it easy and it returns 68.9mpg; CO2 emissions are just 95g/km and it benefits from lower exhaust particulates than a comparable diesel engine. |
Citroen DS3 |
The Citroen DS3 is a real hit for Citroen. Well over 10,000 have been sold in the UK thus far, and its popularity continues to grow. It's now an even greener choice as well. The clever e-HDi drivetrain has been fitted, dropping already-low 99g/km CO2 emissions to a highly creditable 95g/km. Fuel economy also improves, from 74.3mpg to 78.5mpg.
|
Green Cars and Today's Economy
A green vehicle or environmentally friendly vehicle is a road motor vehicle that produces less harmful impacts to the environment than comparable conventional internal combustion engine vehicles running on gasoline or diesel, or one that uses certain alternative fuels. Presently, in some countries, the term is used for any vehicle complying or surpassing the more stringent European emission standards, California's zero emissions vehicle standards and the low-carbon fuel standards enacted in several countries.
Green vehicles can be powered by alternative fuels, advanced vehicle technologies and include hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, compressed-air vehicles, hydrogen and fuel-cell vehicles, neat ethanol vehicles, flexible-fuel vehicles, natural gas vehicles.
An environmental analysis extends beyond just the operating efficiency and emissions. A life-cycle assessment involves production. A cradle-to-cradle design is more important than a focus on a single factor such as energy efficiency.
Buying a vehicle that is environmentally friendly when compared to other motor vehicles is not only good for the planet. It is good for personal and country wide economic situations. Green cars have a myriad of advantages, few disadvantages and are sure to bring peace to drivers’ minds. Understanding how the green car can help the economy and personal expenses can help determine which vehicle to consider for the next new car purchase.