Ah, October, season of mists and mellow fruitfulness...and time to get the cars checked out for emissions and roadworthiness. This is the first time that the Panda (our dual-fuel gas/methane “big” car) needed to be checked, as it is just now four years old.
My helpful inspector told me that the methane tank requires a separate “inspection”, performed by a mechanic in town. I went to the mechanic to book my spot, and was told that actually, the “inspection” = “complete replacement with a certified tank” and my tank would then be sent for testing and certification, then to be placed in someone else’s vehicle. Huh.
The thing is, though, that they aren’t equipped to do methane recovery at the mechanic’s. So all methane in our (full!) tank would be released into the atmosphere. Since methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and water vapor (the byproducts of its combustion), it actually made more sense from the environmental standpoint to empty the gas tank.
Making the best of the situation, Michael and I both had the brainwave of driving to Montefalco to have lunch at the best restaurant in Umbria (seriously: it won that award this summer! Yay for them!) which would allow for good eating and fuel burning.
The leaves on the vines were just turning, and looked stunning against a backdrop of silvery green olives, green wheat (? Grass?), and brown fields. We had a somewhat hazy drive, with lovely, soft light.
And we made it back home just in time for dinner, which none of us is ready for.
Love,
Alexandra
My helpful inspector told me that the methane tank requires a separate “inspection”, performed by a mechanic in town. I went to the mechanic to book my spot, and was told that actually, the “inspection” = “complete replacement with a certified tank” and my tank would then be sent for testing and certification, then to be placed in someone else’s vehicle. Huh.
The thing is, though, that they aren’t equipped to do methane recovery at the mechanic’s. So all methane in our (full!) tank would be released into the atmosphere. Since methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and water vapor (the byproducts of its combustion), it actually made more sense from the environmental standpoint to empty the gas tank.
Making the best of the situation, Michael and I both had the brainwave of driving to Montefalco to have lunch at the best restaurant in Umbria (seriously: it won that award this summer! Yay for them!) which would allow for good eating and fuel burning.
The leaves on the vines were just turning, and looked stunning against a backdrop of silvery green olives, green wheat (? Grass?), and brown fields. We had a somewhat hazy drive, with lovely, soft light.
And we made it back home just in time for dinner, which none of us is ready for.
Love,
Alexandra
No comments:
Post a Comment
We love to hear your comments! They encourage us to write more!!