Mr Fix It - Environmental labelling of cars

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Written by Staff Reporter

Thursday, 17 July 2008

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Mr Fix It - Environmental labelling of cars
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Vehicle fuel types

Some vehicle fuels are cleaner and more efficient than others. For example, natural gas emits only 2/3 - 3/4 as much CO2 as conventional fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) emits slightly less CO2 than petrol and perhaps the same as diesel but significantly less local pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

Diesel engines are generally more fuel efficient than petrol engines, thus emitting less CO2 per kilometre but significantly more local pollutants, especially particulate matter. Electric vehicles emit no CO2 when in use, but the generation of electricity to power their batteries will generate significant emissions of CO2 over the lifetime of the car unless the electricity is from renewable sources. Already some new "hybrid" bi-fuel (petrol/electric) cars are being produced marketed which are very fuel efficient and low on CO2 emissions. Car manufacturers are also researching improved diesel and gasoline (petrol) direct injection cars to increase fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.