You are on page 1of 9

18/4/2018 Modes and Benefits of Green Transportation - Conserve Energy Future

What is Green Transportation?


Transportation is one aspect we cannot do without in this day and age. However, the
current transportation systems come along with a wide range of problems including
global warming, environmental degradation, health implications (physical, emotional,
mental, spiritual), and emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, the transport sector
attributes to 23% of the globe’s greenhouse gas emission resulting from burning of
fossil fuels. Out of the total greenhouse gas emissions, road transport takes up a lion
share, 75% to be precise and this trend is projected to increase in the future if it
continues unabated. All this puts lot of pressure on the national governments to
devise policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as oil demands.

Statistics learn that over 90% of all road transportation relies on oil. This gure
almost goes hand-in-hand with the total global oil consumption, which stands at 60%.
All these scenarios have caught the eyes of most governments and policies are being
formulated to reverse this worrying trend of air pollution.

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/modes-and-benefits-of-green-transportation.php 1/9
18/4/2018 Modes and Benefits of Green Transportation - Conserve Energy Future

In this campaign, transportation is the sector being targeted since it is the major
contributor to greenhouse gas emission. The immediate and obvious solution to this
wanton environmental pollution is greening of the transport sector, which suggests
any sort of transportation vehicle or transportation habit that is environmentally
friendly and doesn’t emit toxic gasses that could impact the environment and human
health. This leads to Green Transportation, which means any kind of transportation
practice or vehicle that is eco-friendly and does not have any negative impact on the
immediate environment.

Green transportation revolves around e cient and e ective use of resources,


modi cation of the transport structure and making healthier travel choices. For this
to bear any fruit, it requires dedicated public awareness and participation,
management of privately owned vehicles and innovation and production of vehicles
that utilize renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, biofuels and
hydroelectricity.

Modes of Green Transportation


We’ve learned that the existing modes of transportation require enormous amounts
of energy, for example, fossil fuels (natural gas, coal, oil) to power vehicles on the
roads. Many recognize that these very automobiles cause a lot of pollution, which
impacts the environmental and lead to health complications. Promising innovative
technologies could be the ultimate solution, but before such innovations come to
fruition, the world can play a signi cant role by utilizing eco-friendly modes of
transportation obtainable.

Though it is much more comfortable and convenient to drive one’s own private
vehicle to o ce or market every other day but being a responsible citizen one should
opt for green transportation that are easily accessible to everyone. Let’s look at some
of the modes of green transportation available in this age.

1. Bicycle

This is a no brainer. Using bicycle to commute is another great mode of green


transportation. Riding a bicycle instead of driving a car enormously contributes to

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/modes-and-benefits-of-green-transportation.php 2/9
18/4/2018 Modes and Benefits of Green Transportation - Conserve Energy Future

ridding the atmosphere of greenhouse gasses. Although walking is a great green


transportation mode, a bicycle has far reaching bene ts because it’s faster, plus it’s in
itself a form of workout. You can buy a bicycle at really reasonable prices these days.
Buying and maintenance cost is only fraction of that required for car.

2. Electric bike

Electric bikes are great modes of green transportation because they don’t release any
harmful emission into the environment. With an electric bike, only light peddling is
needed. The speed of electric bikes is greatly regulated by law, though. Some
countries limit electric bike speeds at 20 mph. Still, in other countries, you must have
a special registration, license, and insurance to be able to ride an electric bike.

3. Electric vehicles

Some notable kinds of electric vehicles include cars, motorcycles, Lorries, trains,
boats, and scooters. Electric vehicles powered entirely by electricity do not emit any
dangerous gasses, even though the toxic emissions might be produced by plants
generating the electricity. Still, the power can be tapped from renewable technologies
like geothermal, hydroelectric, solar power and wind turbines.

Opting for green vehicles powered by alternative fuels and advanced vehicle
technologies puts less pressure on the environment as compared to conventional
internal combustion engine vehicles running on petrol or diesel.

4. Green trains

With most world governments now dedicated to supporting green transportation


than ever, trains are getting increasingly greener with hybrid locomotives and other
innovative green technologies. The innovative hybrid locomotives utilize similar
technologies applied in hybrid cars.

The modern electric trains make use of electri ed third rail, overhead lines or devices
that store up energy like fuel cells and batteries. The advantage of these electric
trains is that they travel at tops speeds of more than 200 mph, yet maintaining high
levels of safety.
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/modes-and-benefits-of-green-transportation.php 3/9
18/4/2018 Modes and Benefits of Green Transportation - Conserve Energy Future

5. Electric motorcycles

Like other electric vehicles, electric motorcycles do not give o emissions. They are
typically battery powered. Nonetheless, pollution may occur as a result of generation
of grid electricity utilized to charge electric bike batteries. Electric motorcycles,
however, come with a huge price tag. The cheapest electric motorcycle could cost you
about $7000. Some top range motorcycles even have their parts designed from
recycled materials.

Some prototypes leverage fuel technology and experts are projecting that they may
be mass produced in the near future.

6. Multiple occupant vehicles

The explosion of vehicles around the world has been due to the booming world
economy. While this is a milestone many are happy about, pollution levels have
signi cantly increased. Multiple occupant vehicles, also referred to as carpools,
reduce the number of vehicles on roads, hence, minimizing levels of pollution.
Multiple occupant vehicles are very eco-friendly and favorable mode of green
transportation.

Groups of friends and colleges can make use one vehicle when habitually driving in
similar direction. Instead of 5 individuals driving their own cars in similar direction, it’s
a lot more economical (saves money and fuel) and ecologically sensible to make use
of a single car to take all of you to the destination. De nitely a great way to save
petrol and money!

7. Service and freight vehicles

These kinds of vehicles attribute to about 9% of the total toxic gas emissions. Utilizing
electricity and biofuels instead of the regular fossil fuel sources in services and freight
vehicles, administering travel demands and o ering lots of travel alternatives will go
a long way towards aligning the transportation sector to conform to green
transportation.

8. Hybrid cars
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/modes-and-benefits-of-green-transportation.php 4/9
18/4/2018 Modes and Benefits of Green Transportation - Conserve Energy Future

Hybrid cars also rely on electricity. A vast majority of hybrid cars are designed to
automatically recharge their batteries by converting energy in the course of braking.
Greenhouse emissions in hybrid cars are extremely low; emissions can range from
26% – 90% lower compared to standard cars. According to experts, hybrid cars cut
down health-threatening emissions by over 90%. While hybrid cars contribute little to
no greenhouse emissions, they lack in some areas. The batteries have some
environmental impacts. This means the caustic substances lighting up the batteries
have to be carefully and well disposed of.

9. The new hybrid buses (Public Transportation)

Some of the best innovative green buses have already hit the market. A classic
example is the Mercedes-Benz Ciatro G BlueTec Hybrid Bus, which utilizes 4 electrical
wheel hub motors together with automotive lithium-ion batteries. The lithium-ion
battery is regarded as the world’s largest. The battery has the capacity to store up
vast amounts of energy derived from a diesel generator. The bus also generates
energy in the course breaking.

10. Pedestrians

One should prefer to walk to the school, to work and to grocery shopping etc.
Walking involves zero emission of any greenhouse gas, it’s free and an additional plus
is it’s a good form of exercise for the body.

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/modes-and-benefits-of-green-transportation.php 5/9
18/4/2018 Modes and Benefits of Green Transportation - Conserve Energy Future

Bene ts of Green Transportation


Green transportation has wide ranging bene ts – environmental, health, economic
and individual budgets. Enlisted below are some of the key bene ts of using green
transportation:

1. Fewer to no environmental pollution

The existing modes of transportation utilize sources of energy such as fossil fuels,
which emit vast quantities of greenhouse gases to the environment. Shifting to green
transportation would help rid the atmosphere of these toxic gases since these modes
of transportation have few to zero emissions.

2. Saves you money

Embracing green transportation modes like bicycles, multiple occupant cars, and
electric motorcycles will save you a lot of out-of-pockets costs related to buying
fossils fuels at the pump.

3. Contribute to building of a sustainable economy

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/modes-and-benefits-of-green-transportation.php 6/9
18/4/2018 Modes and Benefits of Green Transportation - Conserve Energy Future

Manufacturing and distribution of green vehicles will go along with improving existing
transport systems. This will lead to creation of more jobs in the transport sector,
hence, minimizing social-economic disparities and building up a sustainable
economy. It will also minimize over-reliance on fossil fuels, which drain an economy.

4. Improved health

Energy sources from fossils fuels like natural gas, coal, and oil emit toxic gases that
negatively a ect our health. In fact, these gasses have been associated with rising
cases of cancer and other cardiovascular diseases. The emissions produced by green
vehicles are not harmful to human health, so embracing green transportation will
only improve a country’s health status.

There are many other bene ts associated with green transportation which will
enhance healthier lifestyle and improve quality of human life. It’s a daunting task to
convince the entire population to change up to green transportation, but with
signi cant steps underway, the future of green transportation is nothing but bright.
Apart from this, there are various ways to go green at home. This will not only reduce
the consumption of energy but will also save our environment from further
degradation.

Reference: MotherEarthNews

Image Credit: fancycrave , sasint

About Latest Posts

Rinkesh
Rinkesh is passionate about clean and green energy. He is running this site since
2009 and writes on various environmental and renewable energy related topics.
He lives a green lifestyle and is often looking for ways to improve the
environment around him.

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/modes-and-benefits-of-green-transportation.php 7/9
18/4/2018 Modes and Benefits of Green Transportation - Conserve Energy Future

j s h f o 122

Sponsored Links

Create the virtual you and join the fun - Play Second life!
Second Life

You May Like Sponsored Links

See The Nations Transformed by Safer Cities


CNN International for NEC

Veteran China Banker Warns of 'Belt and Road' Risks - Caixin Global
Caixinglobal.com

Sponsored Links

17 Hysterical Photos Of Animal Being Jerks


Give It Love

You May Like Sponsored Links

12 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Had A Twin Sibling


Hooch

You Don't Need to Remember Your Passwords Anymore


Everykey

Sponsored Links

One of The Cheapest Ways to Get a Flight Ticket


LaseTrips.com

You May Like Sponsored Links

Tencent Eyes Bullet Train Wi-Fi - Caixin Global


Caixinglobal.com

Flight Prices You're Not Allowed to See!


Save70

Sponsored Links

Play this Game for 1 Minute and see why everyone is addicted
Delta Wars

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/modes-and-benefits-of-green-transportation.php 8/9
18/4/2018 Modes and Benefits of Green Transportation - Conserve Energy Future

You May Like Sponsored Links

These People De nitely Have Some “Regrets” About Their Tattoo Choices…
Trendchaser

6 College Degrees And Jobs That Pay Women More Than Men
Womensarticle.com

Recommended For You


E ects of Oil Spills - Conserve Energy Future

21 Impressive and Easy Ways to Save Electricity at Home - Conserve Energy Future

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/modes-and-benefits-of-green-transportation.php 9/9

You might also like