As everyone is surely aware, vehicles that run on petroleum products are not good for our environment. Even those that are required to pass smog checks still spew hydrocarbons into the atmosphere at an astronomical rate, polluting the air and leading to asthma and other ailments. And while many advances have been made in the area of alternate fuel sources, the majority of people persist in driving gas-guzzling road-hogs that deplete the Earth’s natural resources and contribute to global warming. Perhaps they just don’t realize how many options there are when it comes to environmentally-friendly transportation. Here are a few that everyone should consider throwing into the mix.
- Feet. Do it like Fred Flintstone and travel by the courtesy of your two feet. Walking is not only good for the environment, it’s great for your body (and your conscience). So make a concerted effort to walk to places that are local (within a few blocks or even a couple miles). Try out local eateries, coffee shops, and markets and get yourself a rolling bag or basket to haul items like groceries.
- Bicycle. Like walking, only faster! It’s great for your glutes and 100% emission-free.
- Public transportation. Okay, nobody likes the sight of a bus coughing diesel fumes into the air. But consider for a moment if everyone on that bus were driving a car on the freeway. Yup, that would be a lot more congestion (both on the road and in the air). Plus, a lot of cities are trying out biodiesel buses and trains often run on electric tracks. So check your mass transit to cut your carbon footprint.
- Scooter. If you’re just tooling around town or running local errands, why not get yourself a snappy little Vespa? You’ll use less fuel, release less emissions, and look like one of the cool kids.
- Smart car. Smaller vehicles equal less emission. So if you’re single (or even married without kids) look into buying one of these aptly-named two-seaters as an alternative to a lot of space and weight that you really don’t need. Bonus: you can fit into absolutely any parking spot!
- Hybrid or electric. These vehicles have been around for awhile now, so they may have lost some of their luster, but newer models can go farther and faster, punch it up to reach high speeds faster, and basically debunk any myths about poor performance that troubled them a few years ago. And with more businesses installing charging stations, it’s getting a lot easier to refuel while you shop or work.
- Alternative fuel vehicle. There have been some amazing advances in alternate fuels, from biodiesel to fry-grease to hydrogen. Of course, not every new fuel is going to stick around, so you may want to wait a bit to see how different fuels fare, but investing in one of these vehicles could mean that you emit virtually no pollutants into the air when you hop in your car and go for a ride.
Melissa Variel writes for a trucking company called Trucker to Trucker. The company is making a considerable effort to go green. You can visit their website to find trucks for sale and you can even sell trucks.
