When it comes to buying a car, one thing you probably don’t think about is how it will affect your personal carbon footprint. With global warming constantly in the news, getting your carbon footprint down is important to everyone. There are multiple things you can do in your day-to-day life to do this. But one of the biggest ways is to look at the vehicle you’re driving or one you’re thinking of buying and start there, as they can have a huge impact on the world around us.
Below we’ve outlined some things to look out for when it comes to buying a new car second hand, helping to improve your carbon footprint for the better
A Newer Car
Not brand new, in fact, some people have suggested that brand new cars are worse for the environment than second-hand ones. But, think about it this way, the newer the second-hand model is, the more up to date the technology will be. Therefore, a car made in the last two or three years will be much more efficient than one made ten years ago. It may cost more than one from a decade ago, but they’ll still be cheaper, and if they’re newer, they’re less likely to malfunction. Overall, it should help you save money as well as reduce your carbon footprint. If you can’t afford to pay out for a newer car, there are plenty of second-hand electric cars are places like Fords of Winsford which can help you to make more responsible environmental choices when it comes to your car.
Car Size
Now that you know what type of car you’ll be looking for, think about the size. This is an extremely important element when thinking about your carbon footprint, because the bigger the car, the more likely it is to use more fuel, and the more fuel it uses, the worse it is for the environment. So, sit back and think ‘do I really need a huge car’, or could you make do with a smaller run-around? This simple choice will have a huge impact – and a smaller car could be cheaper too.
The Fuel
Speaking of using fuel, one huge factor when it comes to your car and your carbon footprint is the type of fuel that it uses. The two main fuels in action are petrol and diesel, and while there has been a long-running debate about which is better, if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, you should opt for petrol. This is because it’s much less polluting overall if you’re buying a second-hand car, and also requires a lot less maintenance. However, in the future, more modern diesel cars will also be a good shout, as they have similar emissions to new petrol vehicles. But for now, second-hand petrol cars are the better option.