From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: How Modern Technology is Making Automobiles More Green and Clean Than Ever
Some people might see a car as simply a mode of transportation that gets you from one place to another, but the truth is that a car is an expression of the driver. At the moment, more people are looking to buy green-friendly vehicles than ever before. Some are doing this because green-friendly cars are more cost-efficient while others are concerned about emissions that end up hurting the planet. The following are a few ways that modern technology is making automobiles greener and cleaner.
Good Filtration
An interesting addition to green-friendly vehicles is the addition of medical-grade filtration systems. A filtration system of this caliber is similar to the filters that are already in most vehicles. Substances pass through the system and remove contaminants. The difference is that the filtration systems in most cars only remove foreign objects like dirt or debris. The medical-grade filtration system is meant to remove bacteria, allergens, pollutants, and a lot of other contaminants from the cabin air. This is a powerful step forward for the health of people and the earth.
Lighting the Way
Some car manufacturers are installing LED lights on cars. These lights are brighter and last longer than regular lights. According to Findlay Auto, a St. George Hyundai dealership, these types of lights help reduce the amount of energy used by the car. Less energy use reduces fuel or electricity consumption, which is great for the environment. This feature is not too common yet, so it is important to find out if a car being considered has LED lights. Of course, you can always have these energy-efficient LED lights installed in your car if you do not have them.
Redefining the Engine
One of the most exciting types of engines besides electric engines is the fuel cell electric engine. This type of vehicle combines both hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a fuel cell. The cell stores the atoms and compresses them to create pressure. This is how electricity is created, though, no exhaust emissions are produced.
Radar Alerts
Some people might not think that installing a radar system in a car would be eco-friendly, but it is. A number of cars end up in landfills because of accidents. The radar system is designed to tell drivers when a car is getting too close to them. It will alert the driver with this information to ensure that he or she is paying attention. The point of the radar system is to prevent accidents because totaled cars end up in landfills. The radar system is helpful not only to prevent accidents, but it also protects the driver and his or her family. The radar system is relatively easy to install, so cars that do not possess this particular gadget can get it installed.
There are more features to consider like the lightness of a vehicle, which improves aerodynamics and ensures that less energy is needed to power the car. Lightness is achieved by making sure the car is mostly made of recycled metals and that it has no leather interior. Leather is quite heavy, forcing the car to use more energy. Clearly, there are a few ways to ensure that a car does not hurt the planet, and car manufacturers are trying to do more to be green. This shows the world that companies are moving forward, which will help the earth and the people.
Are U.S. consumers really reducing the environmental impact of cars by buying “green” ones?
Just recently I read that about 60% of car buyers are actually buying SUVs (UTEs for the Brits) and trucks instead of cars. SUVs and trucks are less fuel efficient than sedans because they are bigger and heavier. I realize that some people really need SUVs and trucks, but most of the people buying them do not need them.
This is not only a matter of being “green”. SUVs and trucks create problems for other drivers. For example, if, as often occurs, I find myself parked between two of those oversize vehicles in a parking lot, I cannot see to back up safely. Also, if they hit a pedestrian, they are more likely to cause more serious injuries.
If we really want to be “green”, we should find ways to discourage people from buying SUVs and trucks unless they really need them.