How to Use the Calculator
- Enter the distance you travel to work or school each day in miles.
- Specify how many days per week you make this trip.
- Input the current price of gasoline per gallon in your area.
- Enter your vehicle's miles per gallon (MPG) rating.
- Specify the number of passengers who would be carpooling (including yourself).
- Click the "Calculate" button to see your potential savings.
- Click "Reset" to clear all inputs and start over.
Understanding the Results
The calculator provides several important metrics:
- Weekly and annual fuel cost savings per person - Shows how much money you could save by carpooling.
- Weekly and annual CO₂ emissions saved - Demonstrates the environmental benefit of reducing the number of vehicles on the road.
- Total weekly and annual distance saved - Shows the cumulative impact of your carpooling efforts.
Important Notes
This calculator uses the following assumptions:
- The CO₂ emissions factor is approximately 19.6 kg per gallon of gasoline, based on EPA estimates.
- The calculator assumes all passengers would be splitting the fuel costs equally.
- For maximum accuracy, use your actual vehicle's MPG rating and current local fuel prices.
By using this calculator, you can make informed decisions about carpooling arrangements and better understand the positive financial and environmental impacts of sharing rides.