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We can reduce hydrocarbon consumption in many modest ways to materially mitigate GHG emissions and reduce consumer energy costs. This approach can be more successful than the loud clamouring of some environmentalists who want to eliminate burning fossil fuels to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to address climate change. The federal government is pursuing the same goal with an aggressive, expensive, and disruptive approach whose success is doubtful.
Given how essential fossil fuels are to the well-being of humankind, it’s implausible that we can eliminate burning fossil fuels. Similarly, the same hydrocarbons are the chemical precursors of a wide range of products we consume daily and contribute to our quality of life. Demand for those products is increasing globally.
Notwithstanding those realities that some seem to ignore, we can reduce hydrocarbon consumption in many ways to reduce GHG emissions. In some applications, we can transition to alternative technologies that impact the climate less. This approach, while not as dramatic and press-conference-worthy as some environmentalists and governments want, is likely more cost-effective and successful in addressing climate change.
Let’s explore the opportunities.
Gasoline
Gasoline is the most-consumed petroleum product. It is 43% of fossil fuels sold for combustion.
Many opportunities exist to reduce gasoline consumption while still enjoying the convenience of cars and trucks. Here are the major ones.
Switch to EVs or Hybrids
The price/performance of electric vehicles (EVs) is improving rapidly. Range anxiety has decreased as drivers realize they typically drive less than 50 miles daily or between accesses to a charger. Every EV can handle that distance easily, as shown in the chart below.
If you expect to use the car for longer trips frequently and the EV charge times are a turnoff, buy a plug-in hybrid instead. Don’t be dissuaded by purists who reject hybrids because they will produce some GHG emissions on longer trips.
Source: Americans’ average daily travel distance, mapped, Alex Fitzpatrick, Alice Feng
When you next need to purchase a car, seriously consider buying an EV or a hybrid. It’s not much more expensive to purchase, especially if you qualify for a government rebate. In any case, it will be cheaper to operate. Either an EV or a hybrid will materially lower your GHG emissions.
Drive Lower Horsepower Cars
The horsepower of the cars we own dramatically exceeds what we need. Less horsepower reduces gasoline consumption and correspondingly lowers GHG emissions.
The horsepower of our cars and pickup trucks has increased by over 100% in about 40 years, as shown in the chart below. While many enjoy the additional horsepower, it’s rarely used or needed.
Source: Raw Data: Horsepower of New Vehicles in the US, Kevin Drum, March 13, 2021
When you next need to purchase a car, buy one with less horsepower. It will be cheaper to buy and operate. It will lower your GHG emission proportional to its horsepower.
Drive Fewer Kilometres
While many enjoy driving, few enjoy the congestion of commuting. Driving less reduces gasoline consumption and correspondingly lowers GHG emissions.
Source: Miles Driven Eke Out Record after Covid-Plunge: People Drive Less, but There Are More People, Wolf Richter, February 9, 202
Consider the following opportunities to reduce kilometres driven by about one-third, as history, shown on the chart above, suggests was an average distance:
- Take transit, a bicycle or walk occasionally.
- Carpool occasionally.
- Consolidate various errands into fewer trips.
- Rely more on delivery services.
Driving fewer kilometres will extend the life of your car, reducing your transportation costs and lowering your GHG emissions.
Drive More Efficient Cars
Despite the significant increase in horsepower described above, automobile manufacturers should be commended for halving gasoline consumption and GHG emissions over the same period. The charts below show that automobiles have already reduced their environmental footprint despite continuing criticism from some environmentalists. Automobile manufacturers are likely close to the end of their ability to improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines.
Source: EPA Automotive Trends Report. 2023
When you next need to purchase a car, buy one that’s the most efficient among its peers. It will be cheaper to operate, may be less costly to buy and will lower your GHG emissions.
This list of opportunities shows that households and businesses can reduce GHG emissions and advance the energy transition materially by:
- Reducing consumption of fossil fuels with no adverse impacts.
- Transitioning from fossil fuels to lower GHG emission technologies.
It’s not clear that pursuing an aggressive, expensive, and disruptive approach will advance the energy transition more quickly.
Next week, we’ll explore opportunities for the other components of crude oil.
About Yogi Schulz
Yogi Schulz is an information technology consultant who works extensively in the petroleum industry to select and implement administrative, operations, and geotechnical systems. He writes regular articles about developments in the energy industry and technology.
You can contact Yogi Schulz through his LinkedIn profile at this link.
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