Taking care of the environment is a primary task for mankind in the 21st century. Automobiles, which have become an integral part of people's lives, according to experts' calculations, cause the greatest harm to the environment. About 89% of harmful emissions into the atmosphere are automobile emissions, 95% is the share of motor vehicles in air pollution, 46% of noise is also produced by cars, and the share of their negative impact on climate change on the planet is 68%.
Eco-friendly cars - the way to protect the environment
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The greatest environmental damage is caused by machines that run on fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel). When fuel is burned by an internal combustion engine, CO2, the main component of greenhouse gases that lead to climate change, is released into the atmosphere. Heavy metals emitted during car operation affect the quality of water and soil, and vibration, noise from engine operation negatively affect human health.
Thus, the main task of the automobile industry today is to reduce harmful emissions. Therefore, engineers develop new eco-friendly production technologies and create environmentally friendly cars that are safe for the environment. Ways to improve the environmental friendliness of cars:
• use of alternative fuels (biofuels, liquefied gas, hydrogen); • Vehicle electrification - production of zero-emission electric cars.
In turn, developed countries change legislation, raise environmental standards in the operation of motor vehicles and thus encourage citizens to buy "green" cars.
Top 5 countries with the most environmentally friendly cars
European countries are taking the most extreme and tangible measures to protect the environment and slow down climate change. The leaders in the field of greening of motor vehicles today are:
In Norway, electric cars are not taxed at all, so it is more profitable for residents of the country to buy electric cars than gasoline and diesel-powered cars. Moreover, owners of "green" vehicles receive all sorts of bonuses and benefits. For example, they are provided with free parking space in many cities and towns.
The share of eco-friendly cars in Norway's total vehicle fleet is increasing every year, and every year we can see new records in the number of new (eco-friendly) energy source cars purchased. In parallel with the growth in sales of electric cars, sales of diesel-powered cars are falling significantly every year.
Netherlands
Very serious measures have been taken to reduce air emissions in the country. In particular, the government has defined 14 ecological zones where trucks that do not meet the Euro 6 standard are prohibited from entering from the beginning of 2022. The zones where it is possible to drive on diesel fuel, if the car meets the standard of at least Euro 4, have been defined. Fines for violating the ban can reach hundreds of euros. However, a tool has been created for hauliers that allows them to plot a route taking into account the envisaged environmental zones.
Another effective tool for raising environmental standards in the Netherlands is subsidizing residents to buy "green" vehicles (electric cars). The amount of subsidy for the purchase of a new car is €2950, and €2000 for a used car. In 2022, €91.4 million was allocated for this purpose, and in 2023, €8 million more (€99.4 million).
Belgium
Belgium, like the Netherlands and other EU countries, has environmental restrictions - banning diesel vehicles older than 2006 from entering many municipalities. Owners of Euro 4 diesel vehicles older than 11 years will receive heavy fines for driving such vehicles from 2022.
This policy has motivated Belgians to get rid of old non-ecological cars and switch to hybrids and electric cars. At the same time, this has become an advantage for buyers from other countries with less stringent environmental requirements, as it has become possible to buy a used car in Belgium at a very favorable price. To find an inexpensive car, use the Belgium car auction - https://plc.auction/auction/from-be
Germany
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The first thing the German government did as part of its program to minimize automobile emissions was to differentiate the import tax on motor vehicles according to the level of emissions. The higher the volume of exhaust gases, the higher the tax rate. At the level of emissions over 95 g/km the car owner will have to pay €2 for each extra gram of CO2. And for emissions above 195 g/km - €4 for each additional gram of CO2.
At the same time, rules were established for car dealerships, which from 2021 can only sell Euro 6 models. Germany has banned vehicles manufactured before 2006 from traveling in certain cities and environmental zones.
But despite the tremendous growth in sales of eco-friendly cars in Germany, their share in the total number of cars sold is still very low.
Denmark
Denmark is one of the five most progressive countries in Europe in terms of environmental protection and reduction of harmful CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. There is a system in place to restrict the movement of trucks below Euro 5. In Denmark:
• Low emission zones have been identified;
• invest millions of euros annually in the development of cycling infrastructure (more than 95% of the country's residents have bicycles);
• create eco-friendly car washes.
Keeping a car in Denmark, especially if it is a fossil-fueled car, is quite expensive. Therefore, many people prefer electric cars and bicycles.