When it comes to cutting down your environmental impact on the road, buying an electric vehicle (EV) isn’t the only option. While EVs are gaining popularity for their zero tailpipe emissions, there are plenty of ways to make your current petrol or diesel car greener, without trading it in. Here are some practical steps to make your car more eco-friendly without going electric.
1. Drive Smoothly and Sensibly
Aggressive driving - harsh acceleration, speeding, and sudden braking - burns more fuel and produces more emissions. Try to drive more smoothly, anticipate traffic flow, and maintain a steady speed where possible. Not only will you reduce your carbon footprint, but you’ll also save money on fuel.
2. Keep Tyres Properly Inflated
Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which forces your engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Check your tyre pressure regularly (at least once a month) and keep them inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels.
3. Declutter Your Car
Extra weight means more fuel consumption. Remove unnecessary items from your boot or cabin, and take off roof racks or roof boxes when not in use-they create drag and reduce efficiency, especially at motorway speeds.
4. Stick to a Regular Service Schedule
A well-maintained car is a more efficient one. Keep up with oil changes, replace air filters when needed, and ensure your engine is running smoothly. Dirty or old oil, clogged filters, and worn-out spark plugs can all reduce fuel efficiency and increase emissions.
5. Use Eco-Friendly Products
When cleaning your car, opt for biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products. Choose eco-friendly screen wash, and properly dispose of oil, coolant, and other chemicals. Small changes like these help reduce pollution and water contamination.
6. Don’t Idle Unnecessarily
Idling wastes fuel and emits unnecessary CO₂. If you’re waiting more than a minute or two, it’s more efficient to turn your engine off. Many modern cars come with start-stop systems to help with this, but if yours doesn’t, just be conscious of when to switch off.
7. Plan Your Journeys
Consolidate errands into one trip instead of several. Use sat nav or apps to avoid traffic jams, which waste both time and fuel. Combining short journeys into longer ones also helps your engine run more efficiently, as cold starts are less economical.
8. Consider Eco Tyres
Low rolling resistance tyres are designed to reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your car moving. They might cost a little more upfront, but can improve your fuel economy and reduce emissions over time.
9. Choose Quality Fuel
Opt for higher-quality fuels from reputable suppliers, especially those labelled as ‘cleaner’ or ‘eco’ blends. They can burn more efficiently and produce fewer deposits in the engine, helping it run better and last longer.
10. Offset Your Emissions
If you're committed to reducing your environmental impact further, consider offsetting your carbon emissions. There are many certified schemes where you can fund projects that absorb or prevent CO₂, such as reforestation or renewable energy projects.
Going green doesn’t mean going electric - at least not yet. By making a few conscious choices, you can lower your car’s environmental impact and improve efficiency, all while continuing to enjoy the car you already own. At WeBuyPrestigeCar, we believe every driver has a role to play in protecting the planet, no matter what they drive.
