The simplest way to cut car emissions

Have you ever thought about what comes out of your car’s exhaust each time you fire up the engine and drive through the streets of your city? Driving a car is the most significant act of pollution an individual can make, and as a group, motorists are contributing substantially to the climate crisis through everyday driving and commuting. Clearly, the need to address this type of large-scale pollution is pressing – after all, the planet is facing a climate crisis that is escalating on a daily basis.

If each individual were to manage his or her own carbon effect on the planet, worthwhile inroads could be made into the fight against global warming. And, by switching to a fuel-efficient green car, each motorist can help to diminish their carbon impact on the earth.

Read on to learn more about car emissions, and to discover why switching to a hybrid vehicle could be the most important eco-conscious change you make.

What are car emissions, why are they hazardous to the environment, and how can I reduce them?

Car emissions are the gases released by vehicles as they burn fuel, and the main component of these gases is carbon dioxide – the element thought to be primarily responsible for global warming and the worsening climate crisis. While a successful alternative fuel vehicle – one that doesn’t use gas – has yet to be produced on a mass scale, motorists currently have the option of driving hybrid vehicles, which are cars that run on both petrol and electricity.

When driven optimally, these vehicles can help to reduce fuel consumption considerably – and consequently, slash the amount of harmful car emissions released into the air. Because a reduction in petrol use naturally translates into a decrease in toxic car emissions released into the environment, hybrid cars are considered to be the most eco-friendly vehicles on the road. Worldwide, hybrid vehicles are being hailed as one of today’s most effective tools in managing the escalating climate crisis.

Therefore, if you want to minimise your carbon impact on the planet, start by changing the vehicle you drive to a hybrid car. Switching to a Toyota Prius hybrid car, for example, could enable you to slash emissions significantly. In fact, when measured against vehicles of a comparable size and class, and which have been fitted with emission controlling devices, the Toyota Prius has been shown to release 55 percent less CO2 into the atmosphere.

What's good for the planet is also good for you

It’s not just the atmosphere that suffers the effects of CO2 car emissions – it’s your health, too. During your daily commute, you’re breathing in the toxins that are released by the vehicles on the road. Thus, by driving eco-friendly green cars, you’ll not only be helping to preserve the environment, but you’ll be improving your own health too, and the health of those around you.

Visit your nearest Toyota Prius dealership to learn more about the world’s leading hybrid vehicle, or test drive a Prius today to discover it for yourself.

Posted 23 March 2009

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