What is the difference between a “fuel-efficient” and a “low-emitting” car?
A. Higher fuel efficiency results in less global warming pollution; “low-emitting” vehicles release fewer smog-forming pollutants. The amount of fuel a car burns generally determines how much carbon dioxide (the major global warming gas) it releases. Air pollution control devices reduce other pollutants from modern cars, such as carbon monoxide, or smog-forming pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Choosing a car with high fuel efficiency won’t necessarily help reduce urban smog (as in the case of diesel cars); consumers should also look for vehicles with low emissions. Truly “greener” cars such as electric cars address the problems of global warming, air pollution and our national dependence on oil through low emissions and high fuel efficiency.
