How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When Driving
As voters, consumers, and citizens, many of us are looking for ways to reduce the environmental impact of our behaviour. If you hold a driving license, then the chances are that much of your carbon emissions are generated while you’re behind the wheel.
Fortunately, it’s possible to drive down these emissions by simply adopting the right
Choose a Fuel-Efficient or Electric Vehicle
The more efficient your vehicle, almost by definition, the less emissions you’ll generate by driving it. This might mean looking for a hybrid or electric vehicle since these tend to be more fuel-efficient all around. Or, it might mean looking for a second-hand vehicle, since the emissions associated with manufacturing these vehicles have already been spent.
Staying on top of basic maintenance can also help to make your vehicle more efficient. For example, keeping your tyres inflated will boost the grip of your tyres on the road, which will in turn make the vehicle more efficient. In some cases, this simple habit can save you considerably over time.
Consider Car Sharing and Alternative Transport Options
Of course, the most reliable way to drive down the cost of driving is to avoid driving in the first place. This needn’t mean giving up your car entirely. You can look to avoid smaller journeys from your week. For example, you might walk to work, or to the gym, or to the shops, rather than driving there. You might equally share a car with other people going to the same location, or use public transport, instead.
If you’re not driving often, you might also rethink your approach to vehicle ownership. For those who don’t need a van full-time, temporary van insurance provides a flexible option to access a vehicle only when necessary, reducing overall emissions. If you have a van that you’re only using, say, once a week, then this might be the more cost-effective option.
Adopt Smarter Driving Habits
The way you drive matters, too. If you’re accelerating and braking unnecessarily, then you’re wasting energy. By driving in a way that minimises these things, you’ll cut down on your fuel consumption, and your emissions. Keep your speed steady, and try to anticipate goings-on in the road ahead of you. Avoid carrying extra weight when it isn’t necessary, and use cruise control (or adaptive cruise control) when you’re on the motorway. This will keep your speed nice and even.
