Environment


The generalization of the global automotive since the end of last century poses problems of global warming, pollution, safety and health and in particular lower (pedestrians, cyclists, children , the elderly, etc.)., use of natural resources and in particular the depletion of oil reserves.

The impact on the environment increases with the increase of the weight of the car. Indeed a heavy vehicle has a need for higher energy a little. The aerodynamics of the vehicle becomes dominant when the speed increases the vehicle front surface are then disadvantaged high.

Increased safety and comfort, if it is not offset by improvements in construction (body lean) and motorization increases consumption. For example, the average consumption of Peugeot 306 Diesel built between 1993 and 2002 is 6.2 L/100 KM, while the Peugeot 307 Diesel built between 2001 and 2008 is 6.4 L/100 KM, despite the development of engines. The average French car saw its increase until 2007, 2008 saw the beginning of a decline. In France, between 2007 and 2008, the average car (95% of total sales, the 120 best-selling models) lost 40 kg weigh 1253 kg. Such variation is related to the distribution market much more than the evolution of the weight of a vehicle with a given range.

Advancements in engines is guided by two conflicting goals: governments impose environmental standards more stringent, which go against the decrease in consumption. For example, barriers to exhaust (catalytic converter, particulate filter) lead to increased consumption. Since public awareness of the environmental impact of automobiles, the level of compromise is gradually increased a strong desire to reduce local pollutants, direct sources of illness and death during the 1970 to 1990 regulations now focused towards reducing CO2 emissions. The appearance of local pollutants is treated at the European level by the successive emission standards (standards say "Euro" 1-5), while the appearance of CO2 is currently dealt with in terms of overall objectives of the manufacturers or through national tax laws.