It is always preferable for things to run as efficiently as possible, especially if they run on harmful fossil fuels. This logic has led many people, who want to reduce the size of their carbon footprint, to invest in a newer, more fuel-efficient car.

However, while there’s no denying that having a car that’s more fuel-efficient will help you save money, especially in light of astronomically high gas prices, the question of whether your decision will actually benefit the environment is much less direct.

This is because you need to factor emissions from car manufacturing into the equation if you really want to base your decision on choosing the greenest option possible. In some cases, the truth of the matter is that, when the carbon footprint of making a new car is factored into the equation, you’d be better off finding a reasonably efficient second-hand car. This is, of course, a recurring paradox for those who, as consumers, want to make greener choices, while fresh produce is constantly being innovated and marketed as ‘green’, unless it is 100% recycled, it is usually more environmentally friendly. with the environment buying something used, even if it is less ‘green’, than buying something new.

On top of this, when it comes to electric cars, it’s important not to think that the vehicle has zero emissions to run. Although they are called ‘electric’ cars, in reality, for the most part, they run on fossil fuels, since the plants that provide the energy you use to charge the car are often powered by substances such as coal.

Of course, it’s much easier to make the case for such a change if the car you currently drive is a gas-guzzling 4×4 or if, for example, you live in a place where you can be sure that a decent amount of electricity is being supplied to the The grid you would use to charge the car comes from nuclear power instead of fossil fuels, as would be the case in a country like France, for example.

Whilst every case is different and should be taken on its merits, it really is worth trying to research the carbon footprint involved before you buy a car, even if it is ‘green’, and think about how far that would go. to drive before the emissions you save by using it offset the emissions caused by its original manufacture.