The auto industry of today has been increasingly focused on creating “greener” cars, as consumer and environmental organizations push for cleaner emissions, but prior to 1970, EPA ratings weren’t even a thought. For classic car owners and buyers, emissions and fuel efficiency are usually not on their list of ideal features. However, a growing number of classic car enthusiasts are becoming more interested in curating a more environmentally friendly lifestyle while still enjoying their favorite hobby.
Many car manufacturers make the argument that classic cars are bad for the environment due to poor fuel economy and higher emissions. But most classic cars aren’t driven regularly enough or far enough to make that big of an impact on the environment in those areas alone. And as it turns out, the carbon footprint of just simply manufacturing one brand new car today can far outweigh the impact of maintaining a much older car. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that it takes 31,362 BTUs of energy per pound to produce a new vehicle. That equates to nearly 1,000 gallons of gasoline, just to build a modern car. When purchasing a classic car, the only energy involved is in the transporting and maintenance/repairs, and it can take years to make the same impact as new car production does.
While classic cars may not be considered “good” for the environment, there are certainly ways that owners and enthusiasts can lessen their impact and be more environmentally-friendly.
Limiting Driving and Idling Time
When comparing a classic car to a modern car, it’s obvious that the emissions are going to be drastically different. However, most classic car owners aren’t driving their vintage vehicle to and from work daily or on long road trips. In fact, most classic car owners only drive them to and from car shows or go on the occasional joy ride. Classic car insurance policies confirm this, as these policies typically have limits for yearly mileage of approximately 2,500 miles, while traditional auto insurance policies are designed to cover drivers that travel between 10,000 and 13,500 miles per year.
Owners can take it a step further by limiting the number of times they power on the car or the length of time they let the engine idle while displaying their vehicle’s feature during a car show.
Lightening the Load
Some enthusiasts prefer to make the least amount of changes to their cars as they possibly can, but some changes can help dramatically decrease an older car’s impact. One of the easiest modifications that can be made is to reduce the vehicle’s overall weight. The lighter a car is, the easier it is on the engine. Removing items such as a spare tire, tools and even rear seats can lighten the load without venturing too far from the car’s original look.
Protect Your Investment
The time, money and energy spent in maintaining a classic car is a big investment. When a classic car has to be scrapped it can be a huge waste of money, materials and more. Protect yours by finding an insurance company that understands the unique needs of classic car owners and can help you keep yours looking and performing its best for years to come. Provident Protection Plus can help put together the perfect combination of classic car insurance for owners in the NJ area.
About Provident Protection Plus
At Provident Protection Plus, we have served the businesses and residents of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania for more than 65 years. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Bank, the region’s premier banking institution, and we are prepared to offer you personal, business, employee benefit, and risk management solutions. To learn more about our coverage options, contact our specialists today at (888) 990-0526.