Written by Henry & Lisa Carter
Thankfully the auto industry is not the biggest polluter out there. The report, “Carbon Emissions – Measuring the Risks,” finds that the auto industry falls well below other sectors when it comes to the environmental impact and future cost of carbon based emissions.
Right now, green is top of mind, especially for the new administration in the U.S. Tighter regulations of carbon dioxide emissions and fuel-efficiency regulations are imminent, which is putting manufacturers under intense pressure to make green a reality on the showroom floor. And despite all of the recent achievements in power train technology, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, which means we’ll be seeing a variety of technologies showing up in the aftermarket.
By delving into clean diesel (which can deliver up to 40 percent better fuel economy than gasoline and can reduce emissions by about 20 percent) and compressed natural gas, among other systems, manufacturers can focus on addressing governmental mandates while advancing vehicle technology.
CNG (compressed natural gas) will gain popularity since it is a cheaper, cleaner-burning fuel than standard gasoline that can achieve up to 90 percent in emissions reduction and 40 percent less cost than gasoline vehicles. It is also available in the U.S. The technology is not new, but the proper infrastructure is necessary to support its widespread use here. More than 70 percent of U.S. homes have access to natural gas, and with a simple compressor unit installed in the garage, drivers could refuel overnight.”
Manufacturer DENSO also has made a vow to develop eco-friendly products, like diesel particulate filters and a starter generator, which starts the engine and generates electricity that’s used to power the other parts in a vehicle.
Other companies, like CARDONE, have long maintained the environmental benefits of remanufacturing products, which conserves carbon dioxide and overall energy use.
As people tend to use more energy services such as travel, this activity can be offset by more energy-efficient vehicles, appliances and other consumer products.
The automobiles and parts industry ranks third from last in carbon intensity range, according to the report. The NSF study’s authors analyzed an array of S&P 500 companies, including Ford, GM, Genuine Parts, Harley-Davidson, Goodyear Tire and Johnson Controls in the automotive and transportation sector.
Another interesting finding is the importance of factors such as water, as water is three times more significant than greenhouse gas emissions to the environmental impact of the food & beverage sector. Water also has an impact in the chemicals, personal household goods and retail industries. The environmental impact of water usage by companies in general cannot be understated.
Carbon credits
The NSF study bases its cost and effect scenario around a proposed carbon credits system, wherein more energy-efficient companies can sell carbon credits to their less-efficient competitors.
Some say cap-and-trade carbon credits will amount to nothing more than one of the highest U.S. taxes in history, which could reveal itself as a cost increase in manufactured goods across-the-board. The Heritage Foundation found that Waxman-Markey Bill would cost $1,870 annually for a family of four in 2020, and $6,800 for a family of four by 2035.
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