Driving Lessons Gloucester - Eco-Safe Driving - Part 3.

An enormous decision that every driver has to make is which car to buy. There are obvious attractions in appearance and cost in the thousands of cars available, but the eco friendly driver will also consider other factors such as economy and the fuel type that will produce lower harmful emissions.
So, with that in mind, let's have a look at what's available.

Petrol engines.
With increasingly stringent emissions standards coming in the last few years, petrol engines have undergone design changes to become acceptable. 
The key changes have been in fuel injection, electronic engine management systems and revamped exhaust units.
Catalytic converters have been required to be fitted to the exhaust systems for a number of years now. 
A catalytic converter will remove around 75% of harmful gases, but carbon dioxide is still produced. 
The converter, however, cannot clean up emissions completely if the car is over accelerated.

Diesel engines.
Until the last couple of years the government was urging us to buy diesel cars as they are a lot more fuel efficient, in other words, you get a lot more miles per gallon, and they produce less carbon dioxide, which is a major global warming gas. 
This opinion has reversed quite dramatically in the last couple of years, as further research has discovered that the particulates produced by diesel engines can be very harmful to health and bad for local air quality.
The mayors of major cities around the world, Paris, Madrid, Athens and London have said that they want diesel vehicles off their roads by 2025, because of these risks.
The UK government has talked about a diesel scrappage scheme in the near future, so diesel use appears to have had it's day.

LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) also called autogas.
This fuel is available, but not everywhere. It has never really caught on for use in ordinary cars. It is cheaper than petrol or diesel and produces less emissions, but more carbon dioxide.

Electric.
This is probably the future and in part 4 we will look at the pros and cons of using an electric vehicle.

Other relevent points.

• When filling up, think about ultra low sulphur petrol or diesel, often described at the pump as "ultra." It costs more, but is less harmful.
• Your tyres will eventually need to be replaced, so consider buying energy saving tyres which have reduced rolling resistance. This will increase fuel efficiency and your grip on the road.

Why not learn to drive in one of our energy efficient cars?

Call John Lowe Driving on 01452 313713.

Warm Regards,

Tom & Lisa Lowe

http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org