Classic cars with internal combustion engines generally have a less detrimental effect on the environment than modern cars and electric cars. This conclusion was reached by the experts of the Footman James insurance company, having studied the carbon footprint from the production and operation of various machines. At the same time, they took into account that the “classics” go out on the roads much less often, and the factories of “battery” cars emit huge amounts of co2 into the atmosphere.
On average, every classic car in service in the UK travels about 1,931 kilometers annually. At the same time, up to 563 kilograms of carbon dioxide are released. The exhaust of modern cars with new engines is much cleaner, but they travel much longer distances a year and leave a significant carbon footprint without even leaving the factory — this factor is considered by Footman James to be the main problem.
The carbon footprint in the production of, for example, the Volkswagen Golf is 6.8 tons, and the electric Polestar 2 is 26 tons. The average classic car will have to drive for more than 46 years to achieve such an indicator. The parent Volvo noted that the release of an electric car emits 70 percent more emissions than the production of an equivalent with an internal combustion engine, although there is no carbon footprint in the operation of “green” cars.
Many companies have already set out to achieve carbon neutrality. The same Polestar calls environmental friendliness one of its priorities and recognizes the issue with “dirty” production. By 2030, it promises to release the first environmentally neutral electric vehicle — that is, to completely remove greenhouse gas emissions from the production chain.
Source: Carscoops