The average car purchased in 2023 emits higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) than its 2013 equivalent. This is due to the large proportion of SUVs in the mix, which tend to be bigger and heavier.

boem@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 1670 points –
Which pollutes more: a new SUV or a 10-year-old conventional vehicle?
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also interesting is how few car makers even produce normal sized cars anymore, let alone smaller ones.

From the article...

"SUVs and crossovers were traditionally less fuel efficient and more expensive, but that's not the case anymore. Engine and technology advancements have leveled those drawbacks. SUVs and crossovers are now just as fuel efficient and offer more hauling capability as similar-sized cars for about the same price in many cases,"

So, who do I believe?

"Engine and technology advancements" can also be applied to smaller cars so that doesn't really move the needle anywhere.

I think it's quite obvious that unless you discover how to break the laws of physics, the smaller car will be always more efficient due to better aerodynamics and lower weight.

the smaller car will be always more efficient due to better aerodynamics and lower weight.

Be interesting to know how much different the two were, if the difference was minimal, or very large.

If it's minimal, and you need the carrying capacity, then it wouldn't be such a bad thing to own a SUV.

If it's not minimal, yeah then it's better just renting an SUV size vehicle when you need to carry something of large capacity. Unless you need that capacity each and every day, then it would be cost prohibitive to rent versus own.

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