Everybody is looking at ways to be more green, as we are seeing the huge environmental impact that we are making on the planet. According to Statista, there are 32.5 million cars on UK roads which produce a huge amount of noise, congestion and pollution that is bad for the environment. However, there are ways for you to be a greener driver with our eco-driving tips.
1. Watch Your Speed
The emissions from your car are at their lowest when travelling between 40 and 60mph. Keep your car at those speeds and you’ll use 30% less fuel. If 5,000 drivers drove at 60mph instead of 70mph, 100 tonnes of CO2 would be saved every year. This would be helped further if you turn the engine off at a standstill in heavy traffic. Restarting a vehicle uses less energy than an idle engine running for 10 seconds.
2. Electric Cars
Electric cars give off zero emissions. All you have to do is plug them in, charge them up and off you go. The cars do have limitations as they can max out at 50mph and likely need a recharge after 30 miles. For urban driving, electric cars make perfect sense. You are exempt from road tax and are eligible for cheaper parking rates. Popular electric cars include the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Niro.
Related: Top 5 Most Fuel Efficient Cars
3. Car Share
If you’ve got free seats in your car, you should fill them up to reduce the number of cars on the road. You can get everyone to chip into the petrol money, so you’re not left out of pocket as you drive with more passengers.
4. Check Tyre Pressure
If a tyre is under-inflated, the car has to work harder to ensure they turn properly - meaning you’ll use more fuel. The best pressure for tyres will depend on the passenger numbers, but the suggested numbers are usually printed on the inside of the driver’s door.
5. Declutter Your Boot
The more loot you carry in the boot means your vehicle will burn more fuel. While you might need certain things all the time, there are probably some items that could be removed after every trip. Remember this next time you pack for a holiday, as chances are you’re lugging around too much stuff you don’t need!
6. Drive Sensibly
If you’re a better driver, you can keep your fuel wastage to a minimum. By improving your technique by accelerating smoothly, braking gradually and changing gear as early as possible all reduce emissions.
Related: Van Driver Safety Tips
7. Take Your Car in For a Service
After many journeys, cars become less fuel efficient than before. Engines that perform poorly won’t make good use of fuel and an ill-fitting petrol cap lets petrol evaporate. You should also make sure the air and fuel filters are kept clean. Your service will check your tyre pressure which will keep them optimised.
8. Avoid Using the Air Conditioning
When driving during warmer days, it’s easy to blast the air conditioning so you can feel comfortable again. However, your engine will have to work harder and consume more fuel. During a hot day, it’s better to open your windows during the journey to let heat out of the cabin.
9. Plan Your Journeys
Being on the road during peak times means you’ll be sitting in queues and traffic jams for long periods of time, while other drivers wait for quieter times. If you plan your journey carefully, you can avoid wasting CO2 emissions as you sit still. Alternatively, you could also check if another route is faster than the one you’re used to. Even a route that is longer in mileage terms could end up being faster if there’s no traffic.
10. Recycle
One of the easiest ways to be greener is to recycle your car parts for new ones. Not only will you save money, but it will also keep materials in circulation and reduce the environmental impact of owning a car.
Be greener this year by buying your next car or van from Nationwide Cars. Choose from a range of vehicles including electric and hybrid cars.
