Going Green Behind the Wheel: Small Changes with Big Impact

The motoring industry in the UK is getting more environmentally friendly, year after year. This has, in large part, been caused by a proliferation of hybrid and fully-electric vehicles – though even traditional internal combustion engine vehicles have become greener. Drivers are becoming more conscientious, too – and, in many cases, it only takes a small change in mindset to shift one’s carbon emissions in the right direction.

Let’s consider a few worthwhile tips for making your time on the road a little bit greener.

Drive Smoothly and Avoid Aggressive Acceleration

Whenever you apply the brakes, you’re dispersing kinetic energy from the vehicle into the road, via your tyres, and turning it into heat in the process. This, as you might imagine, means that the fuel you burned in order to produce that energy has been wasted.

You can avoid this problem by simply lowering your speed. It’s also a good idea, generally speaking, to anticipate any braking you might have to do. Look at the road ahead, anticipate where you’re going to stop, and accelerate accordingly. Don’t put your foot down as you’re approaching a red light!

Keep Your Car Well-Maintained

The condition of your car will severely impact its performance on the road. Make sure that the engine is in good condition, and that the tread on your tyres is well above the legal minimum. With the right expertise and a few simple supplies, you can get the more important checks done at home. Once you’re comfortable inflating your tyres, you might be more likely to do it habitually.

Rethink Your Car Usage

If you find that you’re driving your car constantly, then you might think about how you can cut back. It might be possible for you to carpool to work or catch a bus. Or, you might simply walk. You might elect to dispense with your car entirely, and to borrow one from a friend or family member as required. You can look for temporary car insurance to keep you legal when you do this.

Travel Light and Plan Ahead

The more weight you’re carrying around, the harder your engine has to work. Certain items, like roof boxes and racks, also act like a parachute, severely impacting your fuel efficiency. Make sure that you aren’t carrying these items unnecessarily.

It’s also a good idea to avoid stopping and starting. Traffic jams are notorious for this. Plan your trip to avoid congestion wherever possible.

Consider Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Finally, it might be a good idea to think about swapping your old car for something new and fuel-efficient. This is particularly worthwhile if you know you’re going to be doing a lot of driving, and that you’ll have access to the required charging infrastructure wherever you go.