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redcore4 t1_iuf1uzd wrote

Thing is that running the alternator uses extra fuel. Even just using the air conditioning in the car (which is essentially doing the same as a fridge does) can add 10% to your fuel bill. Running bigger appliances can use even more fuel, and they’re typically not as efficient as the kinds of appliance you have in your home because they’re designed to be compact and convenient more than efficient.

Added to that, most countries have at least some percentage of their home fuel supply generated through much greener methods like wind or hydro power.

A better solution would be to just turn the engine off when your car is standing still - and most newer cars do this automatically anyway meaning there’s much less wasted fuel.

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Death_Rose1892 OP t1_iuf2uha wrote

Yeah but we all drive. That energy is really only used to start the car and is just excess while we are driving around. We could be capturing it. I do actually have a battery that i charge while driving and it charges a ton while driving for work and is enough for my phone and laptop for a night. And I don't even have a better inverter installed yet. I'm not saying it's green. Just that gas powered cars are wasting a TON of electricity driving around every day. It's a waste.

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redcore4 t1_iuf8jis wrote

I’m guessing you’re in the US? Driving everywhere like that and not driving electric/hybrid cars isn’t that normal everywhere else.

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Death_Rose1892 OP t1_iuf990j wrote

Yes. Electric cars are on the rise but still the minority here.

Are they actually the majority there? I can't begin to afford one here. Or I'd have one in a heart beat.

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redcore4 t1_iufasyk wrote

In cities electrics are getting a lot more popular (at least here in the UK) and hybrids and fuel-saving cars (the kind that switch off when idling) have been on the market for over a decade and are a good proportion of the domestic traffic in cities. We also have much better public transport (and fewer hang-ups about using it and investing in it) and cycling infrastructure than is typical in the US.

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