Does the car you drive make a difference? Automotive Technology and the Environment

How driving a car affects the environment? Cars pollute the air releasing chemicals that aggravate asthma, create acid rain, create smog, cause respiratory problems, and lead to global warming. The damage to the environment depends on how much gas is used. Bigger cars burn more gas (have worse fuel efficiency) and are more expensive to drive.

How can you create less air pollution? Drive less: walk or ride a bike Ride in multiple passenger vehicles: trains and buses Drive smaller cars Drive a hybrid, or other gas-saving cars.

What is a hybrid? A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses a combination of at least two different fuel sources for its propulsion. Although many combinations are possible, generally when people are talking about hybrid cars, they are referring to cars with a combination of - a gasoline internal combustion engine - an electric motor - a battery that powers the electric motor and stores energy for future use.

How does a hybrid save gas?

Common Hybrids

How can a hybrid help you?

Choices??

Other automotive technology? Fuel Cell vehicles run on hydrogen gas which you can get from natural gas or from splitting water with electricity They release only water vapor to the air

Fuel Cells use hydrogen with oxygen from air to produce electricity. The electricity generated powers a vehicle’s motor.

Electric Cars Electric cars have large batteries that supply electricity to run a motor They are best used as part of a fleet or to drive short distances.

What do you think? Discuss the following prompts with your table partners: List two benefits for each type of car: hybrids, hydrogen and electric cars Do you think people will buy more hybrids if gas prices stay high? Should people who buy SUVs have to pay a tax to cover their damage to the environment? Should people who buy hybrids get a tax rebate from the government?