Six Ways You Can Reduce Your Emissions As A Driver
For millions of us, driving is a fact of life. But there are number of ways we can reduce our emissions as drivers. Here’s how…
Cars and the Environment
In 2020, the transport sector produced 24% of the UK’s total emissions. The biggest contributors within the sector were motor vehicles, accounting for a whopping 91% of emissions. On the international scale, it’s also been noted that if SUV drivers alone were a nation, they’d rank sixth for emissions, too.
Needless to say, this means that any environmental or climate action within the country must necessarily look at reducing the impact of motor vehicles. The Government and the motor industry have major roles to play, but there are things individual drivers can do as well…
Choose an Appropriate Car
When it comes to emissions, not all cars are equal. As mentioned previously, ever-popular SUVs are a major source of global emissions. If you want to reduce your impact as a driver, it’s worth thinking about the sort of car you need as opposed to the sort of car you want.
For instance, if you’re driving short distances in a busy town or city, a city car (certainly a smaller one) is probably more suitable than an SUV or an estate car. Driving a vehicle that matches your requirements dispenses with needless emissions, and reduces your impact to the unavoidable.
Look after your Vehicle
Well-maintained vehicles have less of an environmental impact than neglected ones. They’re also less likely to experience faults and are cheaper to run – a win-win. Make sure that your car’s fluids, such as oil, coolant and brake fluid, are routinely checked and refilled when necessary. Inspect your tyres for signs of damage or reduced tread depth, and ensure that their air pressures are correct.
Drive Safely and Smoothly
How we drive can have a major impact on our environmental impact as drivers. Why? Aggressive driving, which might consist of harsh braking and needless acceleration, burns through fuel at an advanced rate. Your tyres will also wear more quickly, releasing harmful particulates into the atmosphere. Other parts will face needless wear and tear, too, necessitating repairs or replacements – both of which can cost the planet.
Driving smoothly, and at appropriate speeds, will go a long way in reducing your environmental impact.
Avoid Needless Journeys
Millions of Brits are car dependent, either for their work or in accessing vital public services. It’s far from an ideal situation but many of us, no doubt, do make needless journeys by car. They might consist of a drive to the local shops, a journey that could comfortably be made by walking. Some school runs might also be the same. It’s always worth considering whether walking, cycling or public transport are viable; all have a reduced environmental impact to driving.
From a professional standpoint, an increasing number of businesses are allowing employees to work from home or to conduct meetings remotely. It’s always worth investigating.
Consider an Electric Car
Electric cars aren’t perfect. Indeed, no vehicle is truly ‘zero-emission’. A more appropriate term for the likes of all-electric and hydrogen vehicles might ‘zero-exhaust emission’ vehicles. In short, they do have an environmental impact and most environmentalists recognise that simply swapping every petrol and diesel with an EV isn’t much of a solution.
It is a fact, however, that electric and hydrogen vehicles have advantages over traditional ones. They dispense with exhaust-related emissions entirely, can run on power that’s produced sustainably and are much better for air-quality. If you’d like to reduce your environmental impact as a driver, an EV is worth your consideration; especially if you can charge from home, using an energy provider that uses green energy.
Don’t Idle your Engine
Engine idling, quite simply, consists of letting a vehicle’s engine run unnecessarily. It’s a complete waste of fuel, but it’s also a disaster for local air quality – especially in the nation’s towns and cities. Unfortunately, many drivers do it in proximity to vulnerable and sensitive areas, too – such as schools and hospitals.
As a general rule, you should turn your car’s engine off if you’re going to be stationary for more than ten seconds. If you’re concerned about the temperature outside, whether it’s too cold or not, simply dress appropriately as to avoid being dependent on your car’s air conditioning.
Ten Ways To Decisively Reduce Your Motoring Costs – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/ten-ways-to-decisively-reduce-your-motoring-costs/
Garages Work To Avoid Price Increases – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/garages-work-to-avoid-price-increases/
