Greener Car Travel
Census data insight shows us that 64% of the journeys made by car drivers are due to the lack of public transport or any active travel options.
Even though you are doing as much as you can to help the environment, you might still be wondering, how you could travel greener and more sustainably despite driving?
Public transport, walking or cycling your commute may not be possible for everyone, however, there are still plenty of ways to reduce the impact of driving a car.
Here are some tips we’ve gathered for you.
Eco-Driving
Maintenance:
♦ Be sure to check your tyre pressure regularly, especially before long journeys as under-inflated tyres will use up more fuel.
♦ Your car will be at its most efficient if it’s being regularly serviced.
Before you set off:
♦ Although handy to have when needed, roof-racks and boxes increase your fuel consumption, take them off if they’re not being used to reduce drag and save on fuel.
♦ Lose any unnecessary baggage, extra weight means extra fuel!
♦ Plan ahead and know where you’re going. Getting lost lengthens journeys and also means using up more fuel.
♦ Combine short trips, cold starts use more fuel so it pays to group your errands together when you can.
♦ Start your engine when you’re ready to set off on your journey, an idle engine wastes fuel and your engine will warm up quicker when you’re moving too.
On the road:
♦ Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.
♦ Stick to the speed limits, the faster you go the greater the fuel consumption.
♦ Cut down on the air-con; it increases fuel consumption at low speeds.
♦ Try to keep your car moving even at slow speeds as stopping then starting again uses more fuel than rolling.
♦ Newer car models (since 2014) have been fitted with gear shift indicators, these encourage you to use the most efficient gear for your speed. Try changing gears at an engine speed of 2,000 rpm for diesel, or 2,500 for petrol.
Car Club
Car club is a great alternative to having a second car, providing a handy back up when you need a car for unforeseen trips. The car club provider in your area is Enterprise, the car in your area is located at the Rent-a-car depot. Once you have signed up, you can freely take these cars out, just remember to book a time slot in advance! Find out more in the useful aps and websites section below.
Car Sharing
Sharing your journey with others can save you hundreds of pounds each year and save tons of carbon emissions produced. Could you share your journey with friends, family members or work colleagues? Try Liftshare to find local sharing options!
If you want to see how much you could save by lift sharing, click the button below.