Is buying a New Car better for the environment?

[Webmaster]

I have an old Clio 1.1. It does about 30miles to the gallon and I only drive rarely. Thing is, if I buy a new car that does a lot more miles to the gallon, say 45, then is that better for the environment?

[ajwt2]

Of course!! More miles to the gallon uses less petrol and is better for the environment!

[Webmaster]

Ah yes, but the key question, what about all the pollution produced to MAKE the new car? How far do I have to drive with my new fuel efficient car to make up for all the Co2 and other pollution generated by the car factory? I'm pretty certain the figures wont add up, all the electronics in a modern day car must need tonnes of solvents to make them. I guess you just cant win 

[Extra]

sell the car, take the bus. Job done.

[Trinity]

Sorry, what is the point of this discussion? Better fuel efficiency is clearly better for the environment!!

[ajwt2]

Yes but you dont just get a new car for free!! It takes a big factory and lots of energy, solvents, metals, paints, electronics and even cows (for the leather interior) to make that car. Okay so driving around in a fuel efficient car may reduce the pollution coming out of the exhaust, but what about all those tonnes of carbon used to make the thing in the first place? And what happens to the old car? Junk yard? 

[ali]

ive done some digging around on the internet and it seems that a few people have looked at this before. Basically if you own a car for 10 years then 80% of the pollution is caused by the miles you drive and only 20% is from the initial production of the car. So a brand new car will cause some inital pollution, but over a period of time the improved fuel efficicency should pay off for the worlds environment