U.S. Vehicle Emit Half Of World Fleet's Carbon Dioxide

The U.S. has 30% of the world's motor vehicle fleet but accounts for almost half of the world's greenhouse gases emitted from motor vehicles. Small cars, not SUVs, are the greatest source. GM vehicles are responsible for 1/3 of these emissions.

1 minute read

July 23, 2006, 10:00 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid

"American cars and pickup trucks are responsible for nearly half of the greenhouse gases emitted by automobiles globally, even though the nation's vehicles make up just 30% of the nearly 700 million cars in use, according to a new report by Environmental Defense."

"One surprising finding was that small cars emitted more carbon dioxide than SUVs, 25% of the total compared with 21%. That is because there are more older small vehicles with higher emissions still in service, said lead author John DeCicco, a mechanical engineer specializing in automobile research."

Thanks to Darrell Waller

Read the full story: U.S. Emits Half of Car-Caused Greenhouse Gas, Study Says

Wednesday, June 28, 2006 in Los Angeles Times

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