Each day we hear about global warming, climate change and the greenhouse effect. With the average Australian car producing approximately 4.3 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year (www.neco.com.au) it means they are one of the largest contributors each year to your total carbon footprint, after your home. It’s estimated that the carbon dioxide produced by cars is responsible for 8% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Australia.

The terms “green motoring” and “green cars” are used all the time, generally with no simple definition of what they mean. So here’s ours. A Green Car is a vehicle that has low harmful emissions (predominantly carbon dioxide) and is fuel efficient. This includes certain petrol and diesel cars as well as hybrids and autogas powered vehicles. The “Top Green Car” in Australia according to the Green Vehicle Guide is the Toyota Prius.

But we should probably take into account a number of other elements when defining the “greenest car” that provides the whole picture and total contribution to greenhouse emissions including:

1.    Manufacturing of the car
2.    How many parts are made from recycled materials
3.    How many parts can be recycled

Whilst the above aren’t taken into account at the moment when defining a green car, we predict that a holistic approach and measurement will be used to define the “Greenest Car” in Australia.

There are currently over 80 diesel models and 5 hybrids available in Australia. Driving a hybrid or diesel shows your commitment to making a difference and there are some great models out there to get you around that won’t cost the earth.

Popular Hollywood actors have adopted green options. Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz are already Prius drivers, even Arnold Schwarzenegger has converted one of his Hummers to run on Hydrogen.

By Melissa Pye
Auto Expert
www.hercar.com.au