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It is an interesting question. The best option is almost certainly to not use a car (walk, cycle, or bus instead). The emissions are much lower[1] (absolute and
by ljcn 7y ago
It is an interesting question. The best option is almost certainly to not use a car (walk, cycle, or bus instead). The emissions are much lower[1] (absolute and per-distance) and you might get some health benefits.
If a car is needed it depends how you're planning to power it.
This answer[0] does a great job of looking at the energy inputs of building a car. I thought the up-front cost would be higher but the emissions from producing a car are comparable to the emissions of using the car for a few years.
So if the choice is between a used ICE car and a new EV and charging it with renewable energy, it's (surprisingly) probably worth buying the new EV.
If you're planning to charge it with power from a coal plant though you should probably get the used ICE car.
[0] https://www.quora.com/How-much-energy-is-required-to-build-an-electric-car https://www.quora.com/How-much-energy-is-required-to-build-a...
[1] https://ecf.com/news-and-events/news/how-much-co2-does-cycling-really-save https://ecf.com/news-and-events/news/how-much-co2-does-cycli...
- sandworm101 7y ago>> and you might get some health benefits. That depends. There are streets in the UK so polluted that jogging on them, breathing in lots more bad air, is actually worse for you than not jogging. Similarly, the violent accident rate for bicycle commuters is scary. I don't know of any regular commuter who hasn't been to hospital at least once.
- tonyedgecombe 7y agoThe statistics show that even allowing for the risks cycling is better than not. Having said that I have had a hospital visit.
- ljcn 7y agoYes the last time I checked this was the case. Most western cities are clean enough that cycling is still a net-win.
- WorldMaker 7y agoBoth of those are more reasons to ban cars. ;) Most spot pollution is car exhaust, and most violent pedestrian/bike accidents are car-related.
- ljcn 7y agoIn addition non-negligible sources of particulates are tyres and brakes wearing down.
- sandworm101 7y agoI said violent accent, not cars. People commuting on bikes collide with other things than cars. Regular bike commuters can hit 50+kph. At those energy levels, hitting a curb or tree branch can put you in hospital.