How to Compare Environment Friendly Fuels to Petrol

Cars can damage the natural environment, as burning finite fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This is considered by most scientists to have a significant causative effect on the phenomenon known as "Global Warming." To address these concerns, numerous environment friendly-fuels have been developed. Here's how they compare to petrol.

Instructions

1. Compare diesel to petrol. Diesel has a 30% better fuel efficiency than petrol and releases less carbon dioxide. However, it produces more harmful volatile organic compounds, which in turn contribute to ozone smog. Like petrol, diesel comes from non-renewable energy sources. It is therefore only marginally better for the environment than petrol.

2. Compare Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) to petrol. LPG produces less carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, poisonous carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides. It also is more fuel efficient. LPG fuels hybrid cars, a more environmentally friendly alternative to petrol cars.

3. Compare Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to petrol. CNG power, like LPG, emits fewer toxic chemicals than traditional petrol-powered engines. Engines running on CNG also make less noise and are more efficient. It is possible to convert many cars to run on this fuel

4. Compare Bio-diesel to Petrol. Bio-diesel fuel is made from natural renewable energy sources, such as sunflowers. Unlike petrol, it is not toxic, and the plants grown to create the fuel convert the carbon dioxide emissions through photosynthesis. Bio-diesel is available at an increasing number of petrol stations and usually costs less than petrol.

5. Compare Bio-ethanol to Petrol. This fuel shares many of the environmental advantages of Bio-diesel, as it also is a renewable fuel source.

Tips & Warnings

• The efficiency of any car can be improved by carrying lighter loads, keeping tyres fully inflated, driving smoothly in the highest possible gear and keeping the windows closed.

• Consider buying a "green car." Examples of these include hybrid cars, electric vehicles, hydrogen cars and solar-powered cars.

• While these environment friendly fuels are better for the environment, they generally do not yet offer the same performance as petrol or diesel engines.

• A "green car" that utilizes environment friendly fuels will initially cost more than a normal car. However, you may save money in the long term, as the price of bio-fuels is lower than petrol or diesel.