When you are looking for an eco-friendly car you can choose between a hybrid and a PZEV (partial-zero-emissions vehicle).
- Hybrid cars can function both on gas and electricity, and as conventional vehicles usually get 30 miles per gallon, most hybrid cars normally run an average of 50 miles per gallon. By 2017, conventional vehicles are expected to get an average of 35 mpg, and in 2025 up to 55 miles per gallon. Hybrid cars are more expensive than conventional cars ($5,000 more and up), but this will be compensated by the savings in fuel.
- Another development is PZEVs, partial-zero-emissions vehicles. This type of vehicles take regular gas, but thanks to modern new catalytic converter technology, the vapor emission of these cars is 85 percent cleaner and less polluting than conventional cars The majority of the main car manufacturers have PZEV varieties available, Ford features the Focus PZEV model that uses the same quantity of fuel than the standard version and is only around $200 more expensive.
Should you care about emissions and mileage?
The correct answer is that all car buyers really have to keep mileage and emissions in mind. We know that carbon dioxide is a key pollutant and reduction of carbon dioxide is very important if we want to fight climate change. Just take a look at this chart by the Department of Energy that speaks for itself.
Energy Monitors