Here’s How Motorists Can Reduce Their Environmental Impact
Motor vehicles have an enormous impact on both the environment and the climate. But there are steps motorists can take to reduce their impact…
Look After Your Vehicle
Every motor vehicle has an environmental impact, regardless of its powertrain. A sure way of having a larger environmental impact, however, is neglecting servicing and maintenance. Older parts (especially tyres and braking systems) produce excessive particulates and emissions. Regularly visiting the garage will help to reduce your vehicle’s impact.
Drive Smoothly
The way we drive has a considerable effect on the emissions our vehicles produce. Excessive speeding, for instance, will needlessly burn through fuel. Harsh acceleration and late braking will cause tyres to wear, releasing harmful particulates into the atmosphere. If we keep things smooth and considered when we’re on the road, we can reduce our impact on the planet.
Consider An Electric Car
Electric cars, despite what you may have heard, aren’t truly ‘zero-emission’. They entirely dispense with exhaust-related emissions (which is very significant) but they do produce emissions during their manufacturing processes and via their tyres and brakes. That said, they’re generally a better option than their ICE equivalents; especially if the electricity they use is sourced from renewable sources. If you’re in a position to get one, consider purchasing one the next time you’re ready for a change.
Avoid Needless Journeys
We don’t need to drive everywhere. Our societies are increasingly built with car-dependency hardwired into them, but this doesn’t mean we need to drive to the local newsagents or the school at the end of the street. In addition, post-lockdown, many people are also able to work from home instead of commuting to the office, in addition to conducting meetings online rather than in person. See how you can eliminate needless journeys.
Shun The SUV (If Possible)
SUVs are enormously popular and represent around 40-45% of global car sales. Consumers love them, due to perceived safety advantages and as a status symbol. However, they’re a disaster for the environment. Indeed, if SUV drivers constituted a nation, they’d rank 7th in the world for emissions. Some research suggests that their popularity is actually negating any gains made by electric car sales. New evidence even suggests that electric SUVs can sometimes have a bigger impact than smaller ICE models.
Unless you absolutely need an SUV, avoid them at all costs if you want to reduce your environmental impact.
Use The Alternatives
We can’t always skip a drive in favour of a walk. Sometimes, distances are simply too great. In which case, it might make sense to consider the alternatives; including cycling, buses and trains. Cycling is naturally quicker than walking, and produces no emissions. Whilst buses and trains do, their enormous passenger capacity means that they’re more efficient than motor vehicles (single occupancy or not). Explore whether public transport can work for you from time to time.
Carpools and Car Clubs
One of the big problems with private motor vehicles is that they’re often used by a single occupant. Whilst most cars can fit at least four adult passengers, they’re often used by one person. As a result, where one car would do we often have four on the road network; needlessly, and drastically, increasing emissions. Enter carpools and car clubs. Both of them, essentially, see cars used more efficiently.
People who work together can rely on one and other for lifts, sharing the burden of driving and the cost of fuel. Car clubs put cars at people’s disposal when they need them and only when they need them. Both have enormous potential in reducing our environmental impacts as drivers.
Electric Vehicles: The Most Common Myths Debunked – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/electric-vehicles-the-most-common-myths-debunked/
MPs Want The Government To Address Rising Fuel Costs – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/mps-want-the-government-to-address-rising-fuel-costs/
