Saving Energy - Travel & Transport

Traveling to work or for pleasure is both energy-intensive and polluting. Although many of us still prefer the convenience of the car, traveling by train or bus is a better option because both use less fuel per passenger.

If you do have to go by car, here are some ways to make your journeys more energy efficient.

Reduce Car Travel

Traveling by car is often a matter of habit, so try other ways of getting about and make the most of the car journeys you do take.

• For short journeys - try walking or cycling. Not only are these activities good for the environment, they are also great for your health!
• Use the train or bus where possible. Did you know a double decker bus carries the same number of people as 20 fully occupied cars and takes up one seventh of the road space?
• If you use your car to shop, do all your shopping in one trip per week and try to do as many other errands on the same trip as possible.
• Share car journeys with other people - ie, carpooling to work.

Buying a car

You can help reduce the impact made by car fuels by driving well and making informed choices about fuel.

• Buy a secondhand car - it has less environmental impact than buying new, and it's also cheaper.
• Buy small - usually small means less polluting, while four-wheel drive increase fuel consumption by 5 per cent.
• Buy a manual gear car - automatics use more gas.
• Choose a car with low pollution features like good fuel efficiency, a catalytic converter and electric ignition.
• Avoid diesel fueled cars as diesel is far more polluting and contains more than 40 recognized toxic pollutants that cause major health problems.

Energy-saving Driving

The way we drive makes a big difference to fuel consumption and the wear and tear on the vehicle. Slamming on the brakes, using gear changes to slow down and revving the engine can increase your bills by 20 per cent.

• Drive slower - Speeding along at 70mph can use up to 30 per cent more gas than 55mph.
• Drive smoothly - Accelerating gently uses less gas.
• Have your car serviced regularly and keep it in good repair.
• Keep tyres correctly inflated - low tyre pressure increases fuel consumption by 1 per cent.
• Remove roof rack when it is not in use - wind resistance increase fuel consumption.
• Use air conditioning only when necessary - it uses fuel.
• Don't idle the engine when stationary - switch off.
• Drive in the highest gear possible - 37mph in third gear uses 25 per cent more fuel than fifth gear.

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