Calculating and reducing car carbon footprint is one of the top priorities to protect the planet. However, when talking about climate change and how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many people get the idea that it is too complicated, especially for just one person.
But it’s all about being conscious of our daily actions that harm the environment and making small changes that will lead to big impacts, like choosing more sustainable ways of transportation. This is why we’ve created a guide on how to calculate your car’s carbon footprint, and how to reduce car emissions, so keep reading to know more.
How to Calculate Car Carbon Footprint
Using a car to move around the city to do your daily activities generates a considerable amount of carbon dioxide (C02) and other pollutants; this emission is an important part of a person’s direct carbon footprint. Carbon footprint is typically expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide emitted per year, and it is possible to calculate it on a small or large scale.
To determine your car’s carbon footprint we need to consider the type of fuel it uses, its fuel efficiency, and how much you drive it.
Gasoline-powered cars emit slightly less CO2, especially newer models with advanced engine technology and emissions control systems than diesel-powered cars which are less fuel-efficient, so they produce more pollution.
It is possible to calculate the carbon footprint of a car using this formula:
Carbon Footprint = Fuel consumption x CO2 Emissions factor x Mileage.
- Fuel consumption is the fuel a vehicle uses when traveling a certain distance. It is measured in liters or gallons.
- The CO2 emissions factor is the amount of CO2 the vehicle emits per liter or gallon of fuel burned. This depends on the type of fuel, for gasoline it’s around 8.89 kg of CO2 per gallon burned, and for diesel it’s approximately 10.15 kg of CO2 per gallon burned.
- Mileage is the total distance in miles or kilometers of traveling that you want to calculate.
To make it simpler and faster you can calculate your vehicle’s carbon footprint using an app or online calculator that gives you an estimation considering aspects like the car model, type of fuel, etc.
Our TravelRite mobile app offers you more accurate information about the CO2 and pollution your car emits every time you use it. You can use it for free (iOS & Android) for the most accurate CO2 and pollution tracking.
Let’s see a practical example of how car carbon footprint calculation works:
A compact car that uses 8 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers generates around 0.033 Tons of CO2. Saying that this car travels 15.000 km a year, which would be 4.9 tons of carbon dioxide.
Older models use more fuel per kilometer, generating more pollution, which is why many countries are applying different types of regulations to reduce car emissions.
Measuring the carbon footprint of electric cars is a bit more complicated since while their use (if they run completely on electricity) doesn’t emit C02, traditional electricity used to charge them, does. But, if they are charged using renewable energy they would have zero impact on the environment.
How TravelRite App can help measure your car’s carbon footprint
TravelRite app is a powerful tool that will help you calculate your car’s emissions for every trip in just a couple of seconds. But that’s not all, it will also offer you sustainable transportation alternatives and show you how much CO2 you would save by choosing each alternative.
Using our app is very simple, just write an address or select on the map your location and destination. Using GPS the app will show you the fastest route to get to your destination and all the transportation options you have to get there, including car, public transportation, bicycle, electric scooter, walking, and every other option available.
Below each option you will see how much CO2 your travel would generate, or, if you chose a sustainable option like riding your bike, you will see the amount of CO2 you would save. We want to make it simple for you to make environmentally responsible choices.
Start using our carbon tracking app and reduce your environmental impact on every trip you take. Download for free on iOS and Android.
Benefits of measuring and reducing vehicle emissions
Let’s go back to the previous example of car carbon footprint calculation. We learned that a new model of a compact gasoline car produces around 4.9 Tons of CO2 per year. Now let’s see a bigger picture; cities like New York have approximately 2 million cars on the roads each day, this means that around 9.800.000 Tons of CO2 are generated every year only in this city.
Being conscious about the effect using gasoline-powered cars has on our planet and taking action to reduce contamination has great individual and global benefits. Here are some of them:
- Mitigate climate change: Reducing CO2 emissions is necessary to minimize the consequences of climate change. It would lower the earth’s temperature, decrease the chances of extreme weather events, and more.
- Improve air quality: Other than CO2, vehicles emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to poor air quality and respiratory problems.
- Save money: Using your car less will reduce your transportation expenses since you won’t need to spend money on fuel.
- Improve quality of life: Reduced car carbon emissions mean cleaner air, less noise pollution, better urban environments, and a higher quality of life for everybody. Sustainable transportation options also promote physical activity, social interaction, and overall well-being.
How to reduce car emissions
There are multiple ways of reducing car pollution, and we will order them in two groups: how to reduce car emissions while still using a car and other ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
How to reduce car emissions when using your car
- Choose fuel-efficient vehicles: Use vehicles with higher fuel efficiency ratings or consider hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric cars. These vehicles produce fewer emissions per mile traveled compared to conventional gasoline or diesel cars.
- Keep an eye on your car’s maintenance: Regular maintenance, such as tuning the engine, replacing air filters, and keeping tires properly inflated, can improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule to keep your vehicle running efficiently.
- Plan efficient routes: Driving less reduces vehicle emission pollution, but that doesn’t only mean not using the car, it also means taking the fastest routes to drive fewer miles and minimize stops and starts. Drive wisely, maintain a steady speed, and use cruise control on highways to improve fuel efficiency.
- Carpool: Whenever possible, share a ride with your family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors to reduce the amount of cars on the routes and reduce those car emissions. There are also carpool options on ride apps that are an eco-friendly and cheaper option.
- Combine trips: Combine multiple errands into one trip to minimize the distance traveled and reduce emissions.
Other ways to reduce auto pollution:
- Use public transportation: Take buses, trains, subways, or other forms of public transportation whenever possible. Public transit produces fewer emissions per passenger mile compared to single-occupancy vehicles, especially during peak travel times. Think that a bus transporting 80 people means that there are 80 cars not on the streets. Use TravelRite to see the available transportation in your area.
- Use your bike or walk: For short trips or commuting to nearby destinations, consider walking or biking instead of driving. This not only reduces emissions but also promotes physical activity and reduces traffic congestion.
- Work from home: The majority of people use their cars to commute to work daily. Remote work reduces the need for daily commuting, thereby lowering vehicle emissions. If it’s possible for you, choose to work from home or take a few home office days per month.
Remember that small efforts generate big changes and that everything that we do to care for our planet, as simple as you may think it is, leads to a highly positive impact on the environment.
Environmental consequences of high CO2 emissions in vehicles
High CO2 emissions contribute to a wide range of environmental, economic, and health consequences. These are just some of the main complications:
- Climate change: CO2 is what creates a greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. There are many sources of CO2, including vehicle emissions, power plants, and industrial activities that accelerate this change. This can result in more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, storms, sea-level rise, and disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture.
- Air pollution: As stated above, vehicles not only emit CO2 but also other pollutants that contribute to air pollution and the formation of smog, and can even create respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis. Pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide (CO) harm the ecosystem and lower the air quality.
- Health impacts: People who are constantly exposed to vehicle emissions, especially in urban areas with heavy traffic, can develop health issues. This long-term exposure is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, stroke, respiratory infections, heart disease, and others. Of course, vulnerable populations like children, people with pre-existing conditions, and the elderly, are more susceptible to the effects.
- Acidification: The CO2 emissions from cars can contribute to the acidification of freshwater bodies and the ocean. This can deeply hurt the marine ecosystem by changing the pH levels and calcium carbonate formation.
- Ocean Warming: Another impact on the ocean is that climate change caused by CO2 emissions increases water temperature and reduces oxygen levels. This could lead to a significant change in the marine ecosystem.
- Economic cost: Not only CO2 emissions impact the environment, but also the economic system. These costs include healthcare expenses associated with treating air pollution-related illnesses, loss of productivity due to sickness and absenteeism, damage to crops and ecosystems, and expenditures for climate adaptation and mitigation measures.
Download our app to calculate your vehicle’s carbon footprint
TravelRite helps you travel smarter and greener. You can quickly figure out how much pollution a gasoline vehicle emits for each trip with a few taps. Plus, we give you ideas for eco-friendly ways to travel. When you pick a greener option, TravelRite keeps count of how much pollution you’ve saved each day, week, month, and year.
Our carbon tracking app is available for free on IOS and Android so download it now and start making a difference with every journey!
FAQ’s
How do you calculate the carbon footprint of a car?
You can calculate a car’s carbon footprint by multiplying its fuel consumption per year in miles or kilometers by the fuel’s emission factor, which is the amount of CO2 produced by using one gallon or liter of said fuel.
To find a more accurate result, use Travel Rite carbon tracking app or online calculator.
How much CO2 is produced by a car?
It depends on the type of fuel it uses, its fuel efficiency, how much it is driven, vehicle age, maintenance, and driving conditions. On average, a gasoline-powered car emits approximately 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year, assuming that it has a consumption of around 22 miles per gallon and drives around 12.000 miles a year.
What type of vehicle pollutes the most?
SUVs and sports cars emissions are considerably higher since they combust more fuel per mile. If considering only fuel, Diesel-powered cars emit slightly more CO2 than gasoline cars due to their lower fuel efficiency.
What car has the lowest carbon footprint?
Electric vehicles (EVs) powered by renewable electricity produce no tailpipe emissions, making them an environmentally friendly transportation option. Among fuel-powered vehicles, the Toyota Prius is known for having the lowest carbon footprint on the market.
What fuel has a zero carbon footprint?
Renewable fuels and energy sources are examples of zero-carbon or low-carbon alternatives. Hydrogen emits of 0 pounds (lb) of CO2 per gallon. Biodiesel, Algae, and LPG follow with 5 to 12 pounds (lb) of CO2 per gallon.
