Decrease
Carbon Footprint

On the 21st of April, five motivated students of diverse backgrounds: first-year and second-year electrical-engineering students Fahad and Yusuf, third-year computer engineering student Phiroze, third-year computer science student Nada, and fourth-year public health major Ali - joined to create a website which compares carbon emissions of various vehicles given the distance that the site user wishes to travel. Together, the necessary emission data corresponding to the car models were gathered and utilized in calculations which served as the basis for the ratings.

Carbon Calculator

Miles Traveled Per Day

Select a Car:

Total Carbon Emissions (Pounds of CO2 Emitted / Day):


To put that into perspective, all in all, the average American is responsible for about 31 pounds of carbon per day. A major factor for this number is vehicle emissions. If kept under 31 pounds, one can assist in the abating of this issue.

Information

How different factors affect our calculation.

Location

In states where electricity generation is not carbon intensive, electric cars are by far the most climate-friendly option. In states where electricity generation is still coal heavy, fuel efficient gas-powered cars are their lowest-emissions option.

Car

Some cars are more efficient than others at turning energy into miles driven on the road. Improving a car’s mpg (miles per gallon) or kilowatt-hours per mile (kWh/mi) rating can have a big effect on its emissions.

Distance

The further a car is driven over its life, the less manufacturing contributes as a fraction of total emissions because the tailpipe or electric emissions grow with miles driven, while manufacturing emissions are constant regardless.