Driving It Home: Five (Dirty) Truths About Tailpipe Emissions

Pulling away from yesterday’s gas-guzzling technology can be a real money saver. It also contributes to a cleaner, healthier Vermont. Let’s consider the negative impacts associated with driving a gas-powered vehicle.

  1. Transportation is the second largest contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S.

    GHGs are a byproduct of fossil fuel-burning internal combustion engines. These gases are responsible for global warming and are harmful to your health.

  2. Cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all U.S. GHGs.

    Every gallon of fossil fuel burned releases 24 pounds of harmful emissions.

  3. Transportation is responsible for nearly 40% of Vermont’s harmful emissions.

    While this includes planes and off-road equipment, petroleum-fueled cars and trucks are the primary culprits.

  4. Inhaling air pollution with regularity can reduce your lifespan by one to two years.

    It can also contribute to premature death via heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and lung cancer.

  5. In Vermont, transitioning to electric vehicles will prevent approximately 183 deaths and 2,880 asthma attacks.

    The American Lung Association estimates that the EV transition will also generate $2 billion in public health benefits thanks to reduced air pollution.

Q: What can you do?

A: Drive electric, Vermont!

Plug-in hybrids produce tailpipe emissions only when using gas as a fuel source — the rest of the time, they’re cutting your carbon. Even better, all-electric vehicles don’t produce any tailpipe emissions at all. And while it’s true that battery charging has an impact on total emissions, EVs still take the prize as cleaner and healthier than gas-powered vehicles.* Increasing renewable energy adoption helps, too.

Ready to get behind the wheel? Great! We’ve made finding an EV right here in Vermont as easy as possible.

Find an EV

Sources: 1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 2. Union of Concerned Scientists; 3. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources; 4. World Health Organization; 5. American Lung Association.
*U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.