How LED Lighting Can Help Your Car Be Greener
When it comes to the problem of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, who would have thought that one possible solution could be as simple as changing a light bulb? However, most cars use incandescent lights – especially in their headlights and taillights. The problem with incandescent lights is that they’re very inefficient – far more of their energy consumption produces heat, not light.
On the other hand, light emitting diodes (LEDs) use almost all of the energy they consume to produce light, not heat. This means you can get the same light output from an LED as from an incandescent light for about 85 percent less energy. When you draw less energy from your engine, it doesn’t have to work as hard and, therefore, produces fewer emissions. Whatever its color, an LED light can, in fact, be very green.
LEDs also last longer than incandescent lights. They don’t contain harmful gases or chemicals, unlike some other types of lights. But it’s their energy savings that are their biggest selling point for the automotive industry. If you were to switch your car to LEDs, you’d likely notice an increase in your mileage. Your greenhouse gas emissions would also decrease, although that’s not something that you’d readily see. However, think of the impact that could make over all of the cars on the road today.
In fact, LEDs aren’t just being used in car’s interiors, but also for headlights, signal lights and tail lights. Many car owners actually prefer LED headlights because they’re brighter and last longer than other bulbs – not to mention, they’re far more durable. LED lights are also more resistant to shock, making them especially useful for vehicles used for uneven or rough terrain.
And because they consume less energy, LEDs are especially useful in the case of hybrid or electric cars. Since less energy is needed for lighting, more energy is available for use in keeping the car running. In other words, LEDs can help a hybrid or electric car to go farther on a single battery charge.
Fortunately, switching over to LEDs doesn’t have to be difficult. Some vendors offer LEDs that can be used in the same fixtures as the current incandescent lights. This allows owners to upgrade their lights without having to pay for costly shop repairs. In addition, new cars are expected to begin using LEDs almost exclusively, so you may already have these enhancements without even knowing it.
In addition, LEDs are available in different colors, including white, red and blue, as well as in infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths. It’s easy to choose a color that looks great on your car – all while saving money and reducing emissions.
Finally, despite their ability to help cars be greener, blue LEDs have the capability of contributing to light pollution. While this isn’t an issue with cars at this point, it’s no doubt something that designers will want to keep in mind as more and more LED technology is used in the auto manufacturing process.
