Why Petrol and Diesel Cars Are Bad for The Environment

• Posted By: Francis Akinola
• Posted on: 2024-09-19

The transportation sector, including cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes, is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Globally, transportation contributes about 16% of total greenhouse gas emissions, and of the emissions from the transportation sector, road vehicles (such as passenger cars and trucks) are the largest contributors.

Most vehicles still use petrol and diesel engines, and passenger cars alone account for around 50% of transportation-related emissions.

Health Argument Against Fossil Based Cars

Petrol and dieselvehicles also emit pollutants like nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds, which degrade air quality and affect individual health and wellbeing.

It is therefore necessary to recognise that low carbon energy emissions in transportation is vital for environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and public health and wellbeing improve air quality and thus promote health.

Low-carbon transportation options, particularly electric vehicles, produce zero tailpipe emissions, leading to cleaner air and reduced health risks such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The Decarbonisation of Cars

While we shouldn’t get rid of cars completely, the decarbonisation of cars through a preference for electric vehicles will create rapid reductions in CO2 emissions compared to a petrol or diesel car.

In doing this, the UK government is planning to decarbonize the transport sector and reduce transport emissions by phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and by promoting the use of electric vehicles, public transport, and active travel modes such as walking and cycling. we shall have to drive less and walk, cycle or use public transport more.

The Case for Electric Vehicles

Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. By adopting low-carbon transportation technologies, we can significantly cut down on CO2 emissions, slowing the rate of global warming and reducing the associated impacts, such as extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

Electric motors have efficiencies of around 90-95%, compared to 20-30% for petrol or diesel vehicles.

We Have a Duty of Care!

The earth is our only home and it is important to our survival, but over the years, mankind has overindulged in its resources. We have a duty of care to our planet, and this duty of care begins by taking up the responsibility of correcting the climate anomaly through appropriate energy use and behaviour in the transport sector.