Owning a car these days can put you in a sticky situation with the eco-friendly car and travel fanatics!
The average grams of CO2 released by cars is steadily dropping – but car ownership is still not so environmentally friendly.
At the same time, if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to live a more eco-friendly life, there is a lot that you can do to use your private vehicle while also protecting the environment.
Work on reducing your carbon footprint even when driving with the tips below.
Buy an Electric Car
As electric vehicles become more efficient, easy to drive, and more reliable, it isn’t surprising that market demand for them is skyrocketing.
On UK roads, today, there are over 365,000 pure-electric cars and more than 700,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles.
And, this number continues to grow as more models and features become available.
As we are about to see, buying one of these vehicles is not always the best choice you could make for the environment, especially if you have a car that you can continue to use, prevent waste, and avoid the use of resources.
However, if you are looking for a choice that is greener than gasoline- or diesel-fuelled vehicles, electric and hybrid cars might be a great alternative.
Opt for Used Cars
If you really need to buy a car but cannot afford the cost of an electric vehicle, the most sustainable choice you could make is buying a used car.
When trying to reduce our environmental impact and be a more eco-friendly car owner, we are all tempted to think that new cars are more efficient. They seem to be more eco-friendly, and sustainable while also fast and comfortable to drive.
However, when buying a new car, it is important to be mindful of the resources, energy, and synthetic materials that car manufacturing requires.
Used cars, instead, are already in circulation and don’t require additional use of resources and materials.
So, in most cases, they are more sustainable than new cars.
Check Mileage and Fuel Economy
If you are looking for a new car but electric vehicles aren’t the right choice for you, focus on investing in a car with great mileage and fuel economy.
Aside from reducing human-made environmental emissions, choosing a car that is highly efficient and reliable can help you save money on fuel.
Of course, fuel economy is essential when driving long distances, enjoying road trips with the family, and covering many miles.
In this case, low fuel consumption can help you save money and time.
But, an optimal fuel economy is particularly important when travelling to and from work or through city centres.
After all, a great fuel economy can also help reduce pollution by over 50%, help you keep your car in tip-top conditions, and save money.
Keep Up With All Maintenance Tasks
Proper car maintenance and regular checkups are important to make car ownership eco-friendly.
Indeed, if there are leakages or malfunctioning parts, your vehicle might be releasing dangerous chemicals and polluting gasses.
So, if you are looking to reduce the emissions caused by your vehicle, make sure to keep up with tasks such as:
- Engine maintenance
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Oil disposal habits
- Brake maintenance
- Car air conditioning usage
And, of course, don’t forget to drive conservatively and keep your car safe and efficient!
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