Scientific researchers and environmental advocates speak often of the environmental impact of cars.

The millions of cars on the roads today, along with emerging markets for automobile consumption, such as China and India, contribute significantly to many of the biggest environmental issues. Cars pollute the Earth in different ways and for different reasons.

1. Production
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A car's production, easily overlooked, plays a significant role in that vehicle's environmental footprint. Cars use metals and other materials that suppliers must produce using mining operations around the world. Turning the raw materials into car components consumes energy, much of which comes from nonrenewable sources. Auto factories also use large amounts of energy and occupy large parcels of land. Automakers need even more land for paved testing grounds.

Fossil Fuels
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Despite the increase in hybrid-electric vehicles and alternative fuel options, most new and used cars still burn gasoline or diesel fuel. Both of these fuels come from petroleum, which originates deep within the Earth. Drilling for oil is a disruptive process to the surrounding environment. Refineries that process crude oil into vehicle fuel contribute additional pollution to the environment and consume additional energy.

Alternative Fuels
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Alternative fuels, such as electricity, have their own environmental impact. Considerable amounts of electricity to charge all-electric cars come from coal-burning power plants. These produce harmful carbon emissions and use a nonrenewable fuel source to produce electricity. Hydrogen is another alternative fuel option, but it requires large amounts of energy to produce. The same is true of corn ethanol, which requires water to irrigate the corn for months before harvesting and conversion to fuel.

Emissions
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A car's emissions are its most direct and visible contribution to pollution. Engines that burn gasoline or diesel fuel expel noxious gases. These include carbon dioxide, which accumulates in the atmosphere and contributes heavily to global warming through the greenhouse effect. Cars may also leak fluids, including oil, fuel, battery acid and engine coolant, all of which can easily enter water systems and endanger the health of people, plants and animals.

Disposal
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Finally, cars pollute when they can no longer operate. Some materials, such as glass and metal, are highly recyclable. However, much of a scrapped car's mass ends up in a landfill or junkyard. This breaks down slowly over time, posing additional environmental risks from the chemicals inside