Where would we be without private cars? For many people the private car is there only mode of transport. There are lots of locations which have poor public transport leaving the car as the only option for many. I can speak from experience on this situation as I live in a small village in North Norfolk where public transport is very limited. With a bus service that only runs through the village two or three times a week I have no other way to travel into work or nearby towns or villages therefore relying on my car.

Up until I was 17 I was dependent upon my parents for transport. Now however I have my own car and with my brother also being 17 and needing to get to work we have a total of 5 cars in the family. This is extremely unsustainable, but I am guessing we are not the only household that is in this situation. My car is petrol and not the most economic. It is too big and generally unsuitable for my needs. Making me just another one of the statistics leading to the rise in C02 emissions.

Of course public transport, walking, cycling or even car sharing are fantastic ideas in theory, but for many people these are not realistic options. For example if I was to car share a lift to work it would mean someone coming 15 miles out of there way just to get me. Therefore it is not about whether the private car is a good choice as for many it is the only choice.

This is why I believe there has not been much progress in reducing C02 emissions from private cars. In 2005 the average car was emitting 162g of C02 per kilometre. The European commission is hoping that by forcing carmakers to increase the fuel efficiency of new cars by 20% by 2012 it can reduce these C02 emissions to 130g/km.

It would appear that we are already taking a step in the right direction. There are new cars appearing on the market with great efficiency. Such as the new Volkswagen Blue Motion, a low C02 emissions car with good efficiency and the Peugeot 308 HDi diesel family car, also highly efficient in low C02 emissions. The Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDi blue motion 3dr has a 1422cc engine and emits just 99g/km and the Ford Fiesta Econetic 1.6 TDGi DPF 3dr has a 1560cc engine and only emits 98g/km. These two cars are highly efficient in comparison to the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti with 5748cc emitting 470g of C02 per km or the Bentley Arnage 6761cc emitting 465g/km. There are some links below which have further information on some of the cars.

The Volkswagen Blue Motion Polo

These new economic cars could really help to lower our C02 emissions. If we try to educate more people on the situation then maybe we could increase the use of public transport and other more sustainable ways of travel such as car sharing when possible and If we all try to walk or cycle when we can maybe together we can make a difference today ready for our future.

www.carpages.co.uk/C02/
www.volkswagen.co.uk/bluemotion
www.peugeot.co.uk/308