Owning a car gives you flexibility, independence, and freedom of movement. A car gives you the freedom to see and experience new places and offers personal space. In addition, owning a car provides independence for people of all kinds of disabilities. You don’t have to rely on public transportation to get to work, or to shop for groceries. Owning a car makes it possible to get to work on time, and can save you money on gas.
Costs of Owning a Car
Buying a car can be expensive, but the costs of owning one can be incredibly low. Even states with lower gas prices can cost more at the pump over a year. And, just like anything else, your car will need repairs from time to time. Repair costs vary from state to state, but most drivers will pay the same, in the low to mid-three-hundreds range. To get an idea of the costs of owning a car in your state, check out this list of common repair expenses and costs of ownership, browse around this website.
While the cost of owning a car is dependent on a number of factors, you can start calculating the overall costs right away. First, pay for the car. While only 11 percent of new car buyers pay cash for their vehicle, it is possible to calculate the total cost of ownership by breaking down major expenses into their component costs. Then, account for insurance, depreciation, and consumables.
CO2 emissions
Driving a car generates greenhouse gas emissions. This is part of a vehicle’s lifetime carbon footprint, which decreases the further you drive it. But tailpipe emissions and electric emissions do increase over time. Manufacturing emissions remain constant, however, regardless of how many miles you drive. And that’s not to mention the costs associated with buying a new car. So are CO2 emissions an important reason to own a car?
Although there are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint, cars are one of the biggest culprits of pollution. The United States accounts for about 20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, and cars are responsible for a large proportion of this. In fact, the average car burns around 20 gallons of gas every year. This is enough to make a small island emit seven tons of CO2.
Conclusion:
Many people have a car to meet their needs and wants, and owning one is an important part of having that freedom. In uncertain times, car ownership is an essential security blanket. Despite its convenience and security benefits, many people have a high risk-aversion tolerance, which is reflected in their flexibility. If flexibility is an important factor in your decision-making process, consider subscribing to a car-subscription service.
