News About Cars, Oil and Our Environment

Jump in the car, start your engine, and you’re off. But do you give any thought to what’s coming out of the tailpipe as you go about your drive? Sorry to be downer, but here’s what your beloved car is producing:

Carbon dioxide is the dominant greenhouse gas that causes global warming.
Carbon monoxide, when inhaled, impairs the flow of oxygen to your brain.
Sulphur oxides contribute to respiratory illness, and aggravate existing heart and lung diseases.
Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) react with compounds in the air to cause acid rain and ozone (the main reason for smog).
Particulate matter are an established cause of lung problems, including cancer.
Hydrocarbons, in their many forms, irritate the lung and other tissues, contribute to birth defects and cause other illnesses including cancer.
Lead damages organs, affects the brains, nerves, heart, and blood.

If you are not totally depressed (or outraged) at this stage, read more of our coverage of news related to cars, oil, and the environment.

Top news inEnvironment

Can Coal-Powered Cars Be Clean?: In recent months, sky-high mile-per-gallon ratings have been bandied about for some upcoming electric vehicles. Skeptics point out that swapping oil-based gasoline for coal-based electricity just moves pollution around, without reducing it much if at all. Perhaps the best apple-to-apples comparison is provided by the Mini Cooper electric and gasoline stable mates. We do the math.
Michael Pollan Retracts Comment about Meat-Eating Prius Drivers: At last week’s 2009 Poptech conference, author Michael Pollan made this claim: "A vegan in a Hummer has a lighter carbon footprint than a beef eater in a Prius.” Days later, Pollan, author of the bestseller Omnivore’s Dilemma, retracted the statement after researchers showed that Hummers are significantly more destructive to the environment than hamburgers.
Birth of Industry to Recycle Lithium Auto Batteries: As automakers race toward bringing hybrid and electric cars into the mainstream, environmentalists worry about the ability to properly recycle the batteries that power those cars. Most industry analysts believe that we are a decade or more away from needing to recycle nickel or lithium auto batteries in significant volumes. Yet, the first lithium battery recycling plants are already being established.
New GM Shirks Responsibility for Old Toxic Dumps and Mercury Disposal: General Motors is working hard to establish itself as a leader in the market for high-tech eco-friendly vehicles, but its actions since coming out of bankruptcy raise doubts about the depth of the company’s environment commitment. The "New GM" is technically a new company cleared of legal responsibilities for cleaning up its legacy toxic sites and safely recycling products containing mercury. But the company could face greater scrutiny in the court of public perception.
A Wave of Anti-Prius Vandalism in Seattle?: A Seattle neighborhood website reported a "rash of attacks" against Toyota Priuses. But Seattle Police were only able confirm one incident. "It doesn’t appear at this point to be any sort of pattern,” Detective Mark Jamieson told HybridCars.com.
Economists: Scrappage Programs Are Clunkers for Environment: Economists studying government tax incentives and rebates for green cars generally agree that such programs get limited bang for the carbon buck. However, the latest wave of papers is particularly negative about the Cash for Clunkers program.
More Cash for Clunkers, But What About Eco Benefits?: Less than one week after it launched, the Car Allowance Rebate System—or "Cash For Clunkers"—has almost run through its $1 billion in funding. Congressional leaders scrambled Friday to extend the program before the August recess—but Senate leaders like Dianne Feinstein of California may be reluctant to add further money to a program many felt had lost its environmental benefits.
Study: Raising Price of Driving Is Key To Reducing GHG Emissions: The most effective way to achieve proposed long-term reductions in US greenhouse gas emissions is to reduce the number of miles we travel. That’s the conclusion of Moving Cooler, a new study by the Urban Land Institute and a diverse group of organizations.
How Congress Saved Fuel Cells, Ethanol And the Pickens Plan: Over the past few weeks, Congress has moved to defend hydrogen fuel cells, ethanol, and compressed natural gas from detractors in the EPA and the Department of Energy, ensuring their continued survival in the national budget. With billions of dollars in subsidies and tax exemptions hanging in the balance, the battle for alternative fuel supremacy is likely to rage on for some time.
Lamborghini to Cut Emissions by a Third: It’s a sign of the times when ultra-exotic carmakers veer in a greener direction. In the last twelve months, Ferrari, Bentley, and even Rolls Royce have put forth plans to become more eco-friendly. Now, it’s Lamborghini’s turn.