The first steps toward becoming a greener society lie within a necessary shift in thinking. If Americans, or others in the industrialized world, have no motive to switch to more environmentally friendly practices and products, they will not. Thus, it is essential to encourage society to possess a desire to become more eco-conscious for either personal or financial reasons; then, society itself will drive the environmental movement. The first step in the multi-faceted plan of ecological reform will be to educate the public of the current problems and instill an incentive or sense of conviction in people to become more environmentally friendly. Then, and only then, will the movement become self-perpetuating and driven by societal demands, which are the most important driving force behind a society鈥檚 customs and practices. 鈥淓very gallon of gasoline your vehicle burns puts about 20 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere鈥攖he average vehicle emits around 6 to 9 tons of CO2 each year.
Unlike other forms of vehicle pollution, CO2 emissions cannot be reduced by pollution control technologies. They can only be reduced by burning less fuel or by burning fuel that contains less carbon. One of the most important things you can do to reduce your contribution to climate change is to buy a vehicle with better fuel economy. This in itself, however, will need to be a step-by-step process. Changing the way Americans think about automotive fuels and technologies will never happen overnight, and should not be approached as such. A first step in managing the pollution created by the US automotive industry, our single largest source of carbon dioxide emissions, needs to begin with optimizing the way we use the technology that currently exists. Current infrastructures, fuel technologies, and driving practices make an already damaging system worse, by using the resources it has inefficiently. Take, for example, the usage of clean diesel technologies in the consumer automotive industry. Many Americans carry the stigma of labeling diesel-powered vehicles as loud, dirty, and unrefined machines. This is supported in Figure 2, displaying trends in consumer interest in emerging technologies.
It is evident based on the high ranking of gasoline-hybrid technology and low ranking of clean diesel technology that people simply are not nearly as interested in diesel as an option as they are in hybrids. This persists despite the fact diesels have been proven to be nearly if not equally efficient, carry less of a price premium, and deliver a more normal driving experience. In decades past, the belief that diesel powered vehicles were inferior in performance, cleanliness, and reliability would not have been far from the truth. However due to scientific advances in filtration, additives such as urea, and diesel refinement, diesel fuel can now be implemented as a clean burning, low emitting fuel which is much more efficient than gasoline. 鈥淒iesel-powered vehicles typically get 30-35% more miles per gallon than comparable vehicles by gasoline. Diesel engines are inherently more energy efficient, and diesel fuel contains 10% more energy per gallon than gasoline. In addition, new advances in diesel engine technology have improved performance, reduced engine noise and fuel odor, and decreased emissions of harmful air pollutants. Across the United Kingdom and most of Europe, the consumer automotive industry is dominated by diesel powered vehicles. Gasoline is reserved for only the most elite performance vehicles. These are both extremely well engineered, dependable, and efficient vehicles, which because of their diesel engines, attain mile-per-gallon ratings comparable to and often exceeding modern gasoline-electric hybrids such as the Toyota Prius. 3,000 more than a comparable GASOLINE vehicle and both would reduce your annual fuel use by 30%. Which of the following would you choose for your NEXT NEW vehicle purchase?
Volkswagen is getting hip. The brand has prepared seven enthusiast-inspired "concepts" for SOWO: The European Experience, and there's something for everyone to take in. The event is a tuner fest for fans of European cars and runs this weekend in Hutchinson Island, Savannah, Georgia. Naturally, VWs are a perfect fit. The concept cars range from stance, to adventure, to wild wraps and cover the majority of VW's models sold in the U.S. The first is a wagon with 1990s-themed garb. The Golf Alltrack Combi concept blends green and pink (kind of like those paper cups from decades ago) and sits on a set of H&R VTF adjustable lowering springs. Other small touches include a Golf GTE front bumper, a light bar, and a cargo box. The VW GTI Rabbit Confetti concept is all about the wrap scene. Vinyl wraps have become a very popular aftermarket trend, and the Rabbitt Confetti concept is just what it sounds.
VW wrapped the Golf GTI in a blue-colored wrap with sprinkles of the VW Rabbit logo throughout. The car also features 19-inch Rotiform RSE wheels, complete with customized Rotiform Aerodisk wheel covers, and a set of lowering springs. VW partnered with wheel-maker Fifteen52 for the Jetta GLI Super Touring concept. The car acts as the debut model for the latest set of wheels from the company. K&W Variant 3 DDC coil overs help get the stance just right for the scene, and sport spoiler and extended exhaust will help it look the part at SOWO. The Arteon R-Line concept isn't new, but it should give fans another look at the car as it launches in the U.S. The car made its debut at the 2019 SEMA show as a collaborative project between VW and Vossen wheels. Naturally, it sits on Vossen wheels and sports H&R Ultra Low coil overs. Since SEMA, VW has fitted the car with a custom valence kit and a front big-brake kit from Forge Motorsport. Rounding out the passenger cars is the Golf R Spektrum concept. The model serves as a reminder of VW's Spektrum program, which offers 40 custom colors for buyers to choose from.
