On average, you’ll spend 465 hours per year in your car. And with every hour, your emissions rise.
But for many, driving isn’t optional, it’s an essential part of daily life. Whether you’re a busy parent on the school run or a worker braving the morning commute, driving is often unavoidable.
And as concerns for the environment grow, you probably find yourself conflicted; eager to strike a balance between commuting and reducing your emissions.
So, we’ve pulled together some practical insights on greener driving. From conserving fuel to investing in an electric car, a few tweaks to your driving habits could reduce your carbon footprint. (And increase your bank balance.)
Read on for some subtly savvy eco-driving tips.
1. Check your tyre pressure
Admit it: you don’t check your tire pressure as often as you should. It’s that task on your to-do list that always gets nudged for something more urgent.
But nudge it at your peril. Under-inflated tyres make your car work harder to turn its wheels, which means higher fuel consumption, which means higher emissions. (Not to mention higher fuel costs.)
The solution? Accurate tyre pressure.
Don’t know your car’s recommended tyre pressure? It’s often written on the inside of the driver’s side door, or in the manufacturer’s handbook. But before you begin, bear in mind that factors such as number of passengers and additional weight will have an impact on tyre pressure.
Which leads us neatly onto our next greener driving tip.
2. Reduce unnecessary weight
Is your car feeling sluggish? Is it burning through petrol faster than seems physically possible? There’s probably too much in it.
Lightening your car’s load can have a jaw-dropping impact on its fuel consumption. Simply put, a heavier car burns more fuel. A mid-size car’s fuel consumption can increase by 1% for every 25kg of weight.
Ditching any unnecessary items bouncing around your boot is the easy route to eco-safe driving.
And it’s easier than you’d think. Just ask yourself: ‘what do I need for this journey?’
For example, if you’re setting off for a music festival, you’ll need water, toiletries, wellies, clothes, and a tent. You won’t need your dad’s gold clubs or the kids’ stroller. It’s easy to allow objects to build up in your boot, but a regular de-clutter can shed unnecessary weight.
By doing so, you’ll optimise your car’s weight, which will lower your fuel consumption. Easy!
But boot storage isn’t the only way to lower your fuel consumption.
A note on roof racks
If you’re the outdoorsy type, you’ll likely have a fully stocked roof rack. But whether you’re an avid cycler or a kayaking connoisseur, your rooftop luggage can boost your fuel consumption.
It’s all about aerodynamics. Aside from the additional weight, the drag caused by bike and roof racks can boost fuel usage by 20%.
Fortunately, there’s a quick fix. Simply remove these items when they’re not in use. Chances are you can’t hit the bike trail during the working week, so make a habit of unhooking the roof rack when you don’t need them.
3. Stick to a constant speed
The heavier your foot, the more often you’ll visit the petrol station. So far, so obvious. But there’s more to it than you might think.
You see, constantly shifting speeds – bursts of speed followed by periods of idling – will burn more fuel. For example, varying your speed between 47 and 53mph every 18 seconds can increase your fuel consumption by 20%.
The solution is driver savviness. From smoother acceleration to anticipating the road ahead, diminishing the need for heavy braking.
It’s also wise to stick to the speed limit. (As in, staying with the flow of traffic.) Your car’s emissions are at their highest below 15mph. According to experts, the fuel consumption sweet spot is between 15 and 60mph. Anything below or above will yield higher pollution.
For example, driving at 70mph will burn 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph. Creep over 80mph and you’ll burn 25% more than you did at 70mph. And so on.
So, find a nice even speed and stick to it. If you’ve got cruise control, use it. The environment (and your budget) will thank you.
4. Limit air con use
It’s the height of summer. The sun is blazing. Everyone’s stuffy and red-faced. But not you. Oh, no. You’ve got the air conditioner set to arctic blast.
And that’s only natural. It’s a comfort issue; especially on longer drives. But air con can boost your fuel consumption by up to a whopping 25%. But blasting the air con until you get goosepimples isn’t the only way to stay cool in your car.
Try parking in shaded areas, using a sunshield on your windscreen, and using the re-circulate option when you do use air conditioning. Of course, the old-school method of rolling down the windows works too, but there’s a slight caveat.
You see, at speeds of over 40mph the aerodynamic drag caused by open windows can burn through more petrol than your air conditioner at full power.
It can be tough, but using air con sparingly will dramatically lower your emissions.
5. Plan ahead
Navigation systems revolutionised driving. With real-time traffic data and intuitive route planning allowing you to focus solely on driving. But if you’re eager to adopt more eco-safe driving habits, planning your journey ahead of time can pay dividends.
For example, taking routes with fewer traffic lights, roadworks, and densely populated pedestrian areas will reduce time spent idling, which will lower your emissions. (Remember: less than 15mph boosts fuel consumption.)
You might also consider combining trips to minimise fuel use. Picking up the kids? Grab some groceries on the same trip. Heading into the office? Book an appointment (opticians, dentist, etc) for on the way home.
Savvy planning saves fuel. (Not to mention frustration.)
6. Maintain your car
When did you last check your oil? Or change your air filters? Or inflate your tyres? If you can’t remember, it’s been too long.
Regular car maintenance can be time-consuming, but it helps your car run smoothly and efficiently - which carries environmental benefits such as reduced fuel consumption.
You should pay particular attention to your tyres, ensuring they’re fully inflated and in peak condition, both of which will reduce on-road friction.
Keeping your car in optimal condition is an easy, cost-effective way of reducing your carbon footprint. (It’ll help come M.O.T time too.)
7. Turn off your engine
Idling wastes up to ½ gallon of fuel per hour. (You read that right.)
We’re all guilty of it. Whether it’s leaving the engine running as you de-ice your windscreen, wait for a friend, or punch your destination into the sat nav.
Make the Switch to Electric
Electric vehicles are the future. Literally. By 2035, all new cars will be electric, but there’s no reason you can’t get ahead of the curve.
As the demand for electric cars (and their hybrid counterparts) has increased major manufacturers have developed their own electric vehicles. From spacious SUVs to luxury saloons and everything in between, electric vehicles are indistinguishable from their carbon counterparts.
And as technology continues to advance, electric cars boast the style, comfort and performance of petrol or diesel cars – without the harmful emissions.
They’re easier on your budget too. The scarcity of charging options is a thing of the past, with home and public charging stations now a common sight.
Switching to electric boasts gigantic environmental benefits, making it our top greener driving tip.
Eager to go electric?
Check out our new Electric and Hybrid car leasing page to read more about going green with your next car lease Got any eco driving tips of your own? Let us know in the comments. For more on electric and hybrid vehicles check out our blog.
