The only “leaded” gasoline car I remember driving was my mother’s 1964 Dodge Dart. In the ’70s, (as I was learning to drive) there was a massive shift to unleaded gas. My first car, a 1972 Ford Maverick, used unleaded gas. Options at the gas station included regular, premium and unleaded gas. As we continue the transition from leaded to unleaded to electric, the arguments are similar to those I remember. They will be more expensive, but are also safer for the environment.
People referred to caffeinated vs decaf coffee as leaded vs unleaded. If you still hear or use that phrase, you know where it came from.
“In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency started an effort to phase out leaded gasoline in 1973. Starting in the 1970s, new vehicles were designed to run on unleaded gasoline. In fact, the new cleaner generation of cars couldn’t run on leaded gasoline — it would destroy their catalytic converters.
The new unleaded gasoline was more expensive, but the transition was unstoppable.
By the mid-’80s, most gasoline used in the U.S. was unleaded, although leaded gasoline for passenger cars wasn’t fully banned in the U.S. until 1996. (Today, leaded fuel can be used only in aircraft and off-road vehicles.)”
By the time these transitions are complete, if I’m still around, will be in my 80’s and not likely driving. So this is for you younger folk.