For some, it's comfort vs. global warming

DANDERYD, Sweden, July 5 (UPI) -- Swedish drivers have a dilemma: Drive Volvos and Saabs built in their own backyard or combat global warming by driving something more environmentally friendly.

Sweden has the cars with the highest pollution emissions in Western Europe, the most recent EU data show. Many offenders happen to be the roomier, high-horsepower Volvos and Saabs, models emitting a high count of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, The New York Times reported Thursday.

In 2004, when the average new car in EU countries belched 5.7 ounces of carbon dioxide for every 0.62 of a mile, Sweden's output was 6.9 ounces. A Swedish Environmental Protection Agency study reported the biggest cars were found in affluent Danderyd, just north of Stockholm, with average emissions of 7.4 ounces, the Times said.

How to reduce car emissions in Danderyd has implications elsewhere in Europe, especially in Germany, which also loves bigger, pollution-emitting cars produced on its soil.

Sweden is working to improve its image, Bertil Molden, managing director of BIL Sweden, which represents manufacturers marketing cars in Sweden, told the Times. The number of eco-friendly cars in Sweden has risen in recent years -- more than 16 percent of new cars sold in May ran on ethanol, up from 13 percent for May 2006.