I am not feeling so groovy or green right now.
I was in a little, itty, bitty car accident a few weeks ago. Everyone was fine, but my minivan took a beating. Today my van went into the shop for an overhaul-compliments of the sweet- 17 year old-newbie-driver’s insurance company.
[1]My HUGE rental car
Needing a temporary replacement- I was able to “choose” from a slim selection of rental cars. Having 3 children, car seats, a dog, lots of sports gear and needing extra space for extra kids, I was looking for a car that could hold more than 5. There was only one option-a HUGE, 8 passenger SUV, looking lonely and waiting for little ol’ me to take it home.
My everyday ride is a minivan-filled to the brim with all the conveniences any car driver could ask for. Before entering parenthood I took a vow that many of us took-I would never, ever drive a minivan. If I caved I knew it would symbolize my surrender to domestic, suburban tedium-relinquishing every last shred of hip and coolness that was o-so-evident in my pre-parenting years. When child number 3 was on his way the vow fell by the wayside and I got myself my very own van.
As I pulled out of the rental lot in this enormous SUV I caught a glimpse of myself in the glass window. A thought immediately went through my head: I am in this colossal rental SUV, I own and drive a minivan and both are not very green!
Minivans and SUVs-Not So Green
Our automotive choices have a massive impact on the environment. Both SUVs and minivans guzzle petroleum, get relatively poor gas mileage and rely solely on gasoline for power. Gasoline fumes are toxic and carcinogenic, causing smog and pollution.
All gas fueled vehicles create large amounts of greenhouse gases which are the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect [2] – the warming of the Earth’s climate due to the major buildup of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and other gases in the atmosphere.
What’s a suburbanite with a green conscience to do?
Is it possible to find a car that is cool, hip and ecologically friendly?
My van is logging in somewhere close to the 100,000 mile marker. Still in great shape, I am beginning to contemplate what ride is next in line.
Greener Car Options
Alternative fueled vehicles are powered by fuels that are derived from resources other than petroleum. Some of these fuels are produced domestically, reducing our dependence on imported oil, and some are derived from renewable resources. Often, these fuels produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel.
Here are a few examples of alternative vehicles:
[3]Hybrids are much more ecologically friendly than their petroleum guzzling counterparts, and in general the emissions of Hybrid cars are at or below the level set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Hybrids use electric motor and battery storage to maximize the fuel economy from standard gasoline-burning engines.- Diesel cars and trucks deliver great fuel economy, 20 to 30 percent better than comparable vehicles with gasoline engines. You’ll use less fuel as you drive and fill up your tank less often. They produce 20-30 percent less carbon dioxide, the major automotive emission classified as a greenhouse gas. Long gone are the diesel cars that were smelly and noisy-they are now quiet and clean.
- Plug-in electric cars let you drive gas-free and without tailpipe emissions. These cars have to be plugged in to charge and the distance they will travel depends upon how much charge there is. No gas is required, making these cars one of the greenest options.
- Flexible fuel vehicles can run on a fuel mixture up to 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline.
With all these great green options there are still not many choices for my family of 5- plus dog. Most of the cars available are too small.
Come on car companies-get it together and show us a green hip, cool car that can hold larger families. The demand is there but there is not much available to meet the consumer’s needs.
For now I am staying put in my not-so-groovy green, but convenient, gas guzzling minivan until I find something that will provide better gas mileage and lower emissions.
Do you have a car that fits the bill-hip, cool and ecologically friendly? Must be ready, willing and able to hold three children, a dog and lots of other stuff.
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