>

I've always wondered about this...has anyone actually studied the energy
used/pollution created in the manufacture of new vehicles.  At one point I had
heard that in fact over the long run it is more beneficial to remove older "gross
poluters" from the road due to the massive amounts of HC's, CO, NO2 etc. emitted
by older vehicles as compared to brand new vehicles.  Particularly when
considering that cars are concentrated in cities where most people live and breath
this seems like it might make some sense.  I suppose the best environmental
alternative is probably to walk or ride a bike.Mark

> By maintaining an older car well beyond its product design life you are saving
> the planet the environmental abuse of having to produce another new car for
> your use.  Repainting your Vanagon has a miniscule impact on Mother Earth
> compared with mining iron ore and pumping enough crude oil to produce the
> steel and plastics to produce another 4000 pound means of personal conveyance.
>

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