With climate change being one of the biggest issues facing the world today, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and make environmentally friendly choices in their daily lives. One impactful way to do this is by opting for a pre-owned or used vehicle rather than purchasing a brand-new car. There are several environmental benefits to buying second-hand, which this article will explore.
The Manufacturing Process
When a new car is manufactured, there are significant environmental impacts from the materials extraction, production processes, and transportation involved before it even reaches the dealership lot. Studies have estimated that manufacturing a new medium-sized car produces over 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Opting for a used car avoids these major upfront emissions, giving an instant advantage over brand-new models. There are used car dealers in Essex or elsewhere that offer high-quality, pre-owned vehicles that still have years of life left in them. So, you can skip the resource-intensive manufacturing phase while still getting a reliable set of wheels.
Reduced Resource Waste
New cars use a substantial amount of resources, raw materials, energy, and water during production. Buying a used vehicle extends the lifecycle of these already extracted and produced materials. It takes around 183 million litres of water to manufacture a new car, so a second-hand model also drastically reduces water usage. Used cars mean that fewer new materials have to be mined, processed, and transported – all saving on environmental impacts. Some specific resources conserved include iron, aluminium, plastics, rubber, glass, and copper. Choosing used over new minimises resource waste and unnecessary extraction from the earth.
Lower Emissions Over Time
While pre-owned vehicles were responsible for emissions during their original manufacturing, keeping them on the roads longer amortises those impacts over more years of use. New cars will have to be driven for multiple years before making up for their huge initial carbon footprint. Used cars already have those miles under their belt. Additionally, as technology improves, newer used cars often have better fuel efficiency and emissions ratings than older new models. So, you can find a used vehicle with lower annual emissions than a brand-new one. Driving a pre-owned car is beneficial for the atmosphere in the long run.
Financial Benefits
Opting for a used car over a new one also makes good financial sense in addition to the environmental benefits. New vehicles depreciate rapidly in the first few years, with some models losing 50% or more of their value in the first 3 years. When you buy pre-owned, the original owner has already taken that big depreciation hit. So, you can get a significantly discounted price on a still reliable car. This leaves more money in your pocket for other priorities. While used electric cars have higher upfront costs than petrol ones, they save substantial amounts on fuel over time. And with used prices on EVs coming down, they are becoming affordable options. Buying used is wise both for your wallet and the environment.
Given the heavy environmental impacts of manufacturing new vehicles, opting for a quality used car is an eco-friendly choice. Pre-owned models conserve resources, avoid initial production emissions, and minimise waste. While new electric and hybrid cars are greener than conventional ones, used cars still compare favourably due to the high emissions costs of making new models.
