Many of us, me included, drive old aircooled VWs with relatively dirty engines that give about 10 litres/100km. Let's not get picky about our personal economy. I'm just throwing an average number in here.

How much greenhouse gas is created to make a new car that will give about 6litres/100km with fewer greenhouse gasses produced?

For what distance can I drive my aircooled engine before I have produced enough greenhouse gas to make a new car that would create less gas when it is used?

Plant 2 trees a week and feel all warm and fuzzy. Plus, you'll have loads of trees. :P

[ Edited on 4-2-2007 by sinecure ]

2.24kg of CO2 is produced from every liter of petrol burnt. That's 3.36 tonnes of CO2 for 15000 kms travelled in a year @10l/100km.

You need to sign up with these guys, they fix it so that your car doesn't emit any carbon dioxide at all, for only $40 which is tax deductible!

http://www.greenfleet.com.au/ 

I think that you havel missed my point.

How much greenhouse gas is produced to make a car?
NOTE that is to MAKE a car not to drive it.

I'm talking about producing the steel, the copper, the tin, the lead, the plastics, the rubber, the paint, the oil, the grease, etc. etc. etc., then making a car out of the materials so produced, then shipping it across the world for me to buy it and then to drive it.

If I drive an old car that is "dirty" am I being a bad boy or is it naughtier to buy a new car no matter how "clean" it is?

How many kilometres must I drive my old Beetle to create the same amount of greenhouse gasses that would be created to make a new car?

You make a good point Richard. I'm not sure if anyone has done this calculation. Not too many car manufacturers would be promoting this that's for sure.

Another point I would like to make is that you would be producing less landfill by sticking with an old car too.

Indeed Mark. I'm simply after some info here. I'm making no value judgements until I get the info.