As the number of cars on our roads continues to increase, it’s important for everyone to make an effort to reduce our carbon footprint. The cars we drive are one of the leading causes of CO2 emissions – a major contributor to climate change. Many people are interested in using eco-friendly transport as much as possible to help preserve our environment.
At Hughes, we are committed to offering environmentally friendly transport options throughout Australia. This article explores the importance of eco-friendly vehicles and benefits of eco-friendly cars in Australia.
Importance of Eco-Friendly Vehicles
By choosing environmentally friendly transport, such as electric cars, you’re helping to reduce your individual carbon footprint and supporting businesses who prioritise eco-friendly driving practices. As climate change becomes a more pressing issue in Australia and internationally, it’s empowering to know there are small steps you can take to help minimise the release of future greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. It’s all about making smart decisions with how you decide to travel from A to B.
Features of Eco-Friendly Cars
The Tesla Model S, which is a transport option we offer at Hughes, is an excellent example of a luxury sedan electric car designed for sustainability. What makes Tesla’s eco-friendly cars kind to the environment?
No direct pollution
Eco-friendly vehicles like the Tesla Model S, help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels that damage our environment such as oil, natural gas and petroleum. Since electric cars use battery power to drive the motor and do not burn petrol and fossil fuels, they create zero direct carbon emissions.
Cleaner even on fossil fuels
Electric cars produce much less pollution than a car’s internal combustion engine. Even using electricity from coal, an electric car is approximately 4 percent more efficient than a petrol-powered car.
Lightweight structure
Tesla’s electric cars are made of lightweight materials, ensuring that they need less energy to run. A smaller, lighter engine also saves energy.
Recharging battery
An electric car uses electricity from its battery pack to power its electric motor. Because its motor is electric, it has no fuel tank and runs solely with a rechargeable battery.
Thanks to its recharging battery and electric design, the Tesla Model S offers excellent fuel economy, which means it runs cleaner and requires less fuel to run — contributing to better environmental outcomes and lower dependence on fossil fuels. In fact, conventional cars typically require a top-up of fuel after 5,000 kilometres. With an electric car, you’ll likely only need to refuel after travelling 8,000 to 9,500 kilometres.
Each time you press on the brake while driving an electric vehicle, your car’s battery will recharge a little. How? An internal mechanism kicks in that captures the released energy, which regenerates the battery.
Reduced exhaust emissions
Eco-friendly cars, such as electric vehicles, are proven to produce a much lower level of harmful exhaust emissions when driving at all speeds in all types of weather conditions. When traditional vehicles burn fuel, they release carbon monoxide into the air. Carbon monoxide is one of the major greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that has been linked to climate change and global warming.
In comparison, a fully electric car like the Tesla Model S produces no carbon monoxide. Since electric cars depend on electricity to run, they produce far less harmful carbon monoxide than traditional vehicles.
Cleaner air
The Tesla Model S features a medical grade HEPA air filtration system. This removes at least 99.97% of particulate exhaust pollution and 100% of allergens, bacteria and contaminants from the cabin air to protect passengers’ health.
Quiet
Electric cars are quieter than petrol-powered vehicles, resulting in less noise pollution.
Safety
One of the major benefits of eco-friendly cars like the Tesla S is their lower centre of gravity, which makes them less likely to roll over. The Tesla’s body construction and durability also make them safer in a collision.
Battery replacement
Disposal of an electric car’s lithium batteries is much less hazardous than the disposal of lead-acid batteries from conventional cars. For example, the materials in our Tesla Model S’s lithium-ion batteries are recycled by Tesla through their ‘closed loop’ battery recycling program, to recover valuable metals for reuse in future batteries.
Energy security
On a national level, eco-friendly cars can help with Australia’s energy security. At present, Australia is highly dependent on other countries for petroleum (petrol) imports. Electric cars are easy to power from local and renewable energy sources, reducing our dependence on foreign oil. There also offer employment benefits for Australians through the use of locally produced electricity.
Hughes’ Commitment To Sustainable Transport Methods
Hughes is dedicated to making our on-the-road activities as environmentally friendly as possible. Here’s how we try to make a difference:
- We use energy-efficient cars, such as the Tesla Model S, to optimise our energy efficiency
- We minimise fuel consumption whenever possible by finding the most efficient travel routes
- We follow environmental best practices in maintaining our fleet
- We encourage our clients to take advantage of combined rides when attending the same event
- We encourage our drivers to be environmentally conscious in all activities
- We always comply with environmental regulatory requirements
- We minimise driver waste by reusing and recycling as much as possible, including paper, cardboard and waste petrol products
- We purposefully purchase the most efficient fuels with the fewest emissions
Hughes offers luxury chauffeured transportation options, including the eco-friendly luxury Tesla Model S sedan. Contact Hughes on 1300 615 165 today to book your very own eco-friendly chauffeured vehicle.
