- Home
- About Green Cars
- Green Life Guide
Green Life Guide
- By Green Car Guide
- Published 15/06/2008
- About Green Cars
- Unrated
There’s no getting around the fact that driving is detrimental to the environment. Your car emits approximately its own weight in CO2 every 6,000 miles, thus adding considerably to your carbon footprint. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your vehicle’s environmental impact without foregoing driving altogether. Here are a few of the most effective.
Buying a new car
It’s time to drop that gas-guzzling old banger – there is now a whole selection of cars on the market specifically designed to cut carbon emissions and save fuel. Hybrid cars, which alternate between fuel and electric power, are currently the most popular; but purely electrically-operated vehicles are becoming increasingly well-designed (check out the new RUF electric Porsche 911 for proof). Other options include alternative fuel cars and electric bikes.
Offsetting emissions
If you’re willing to pay out a little extra cash in exchange for a clean green conscience, you should consider offsetting your fuel emissions. One way to do this is by paying a specialist operation (e.g. The Carbon Trust or Carbon Care) to arrange the offsetting for you. Many car insurance companies also now offer offsetting as part of an overall package. The Co-operative, for example, will offset 20 per cent of your car’s emissions automatically. Compare other ethical car insurance companies using a comparison site such as Beat That Quote.
Preparing your vehicle
If you can’t afford to spend money on purchasing a new vehicle and offsetting your carbon emissions, it’s still possible to be a green driver. Make sure your car is serviced every year, and always check that the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. You should also reduce weight, and therefore fuel consumption, by removing unnecessary items from the vehicle before you drive. Before you set off, think about whether this journey is really necessary. Could you walk or cycle instead> Almost 61 per cent of car journeys are under two miles, and therefore a needless waste of fuel.
While you are driving
You can cut your fuel consumption considerably simply by sensible driving – pulling away too fast uses 60 per cent more fuel, while driving at 70 mph can take up to 30 per cent more petrol that driving at 50mph. Stay in the highest gear possible, and avoid using air conditioning which uses 15 per cent more fuel. You should also switch your engine off in stationary traffic. Finally, check your map regularly when driving on unfamiliar roads. Motorists produce considerable amounts of CO2 every year simply through getting lost!
Buying a new car
It’s time to drop that gas-guzzling old banger – there is now a whole selection of cars on the market specifically designed to cut carbon emissions and save fuel. Hybrid cars, which alternate between fuel and electric power, are currently the most popular; but purely electrically-operated vehicles are becoming increasingly well-designed (check out the new RUF electric Porsche 911 for proof). Other options include alternative fuel cars and electric bikes.
Offsetting emissions
If you’re willing to pay out a little extra cash in exchange for a clean green conscience, you should consider offsetting your fuel emissions. One way to do this is by paying a specialist operation (e.g. The Carbon Trust or Carbon Care) to arrange the offsetting for you. Many car insurance companies also now offer offsetting as part of an overall package. The Co-operative, for example, will offset 20 per cent of your car’s emissions automatically. Compare other ethical car insurance companies using a comparison site such as Beat That Quote.
Preparing your vehicle
If you can’t afford to spend money on purchasing a new vehicle and offsetting your carbon emissions, it’s still possible to be a green driver. Make sure your car is serviced every year, and always check that the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. You should also reduce weight, and therefore fuel consumption, by removing unnecessary items from the vehicle before you drive. Before you set off, think about whether this journey is really necessary. Could you walk or cycle instead> Almost 61 per cent of car journeys are under two miles, and therefore a needless waste of fuel.
While you are driving
You can cut your fuel consumption considerably simply by sensible driving – pulling away too fast uses 60 per cent more fuel, while driving at 70 mph can take up to 30 per cent more petrol that driving at 50mph. Stay in the highest gear possible, and avoid using air conditioning which uses 15 per cent more fuel. You should also switch your engine off in stationary traffic. Finally, check your map regularly when driving on unfamiliar roads. Motorists produce considerable amounts of CO2 every year simply through getting lost!