ECO-FRIENDLY DRIVING
WHAT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT . .
Many of us want to be greener behind the wheel, but aren’t sure how to do it. Here are 10 top tips.
As part of World Environment Day this month, a driver training school for teenagers in the UK called Young Driver asked 1000 motorists whether they knew how to drive their cars in the greenest way possible.
Only 11 per cent said they did; that figure dropped to only 6 per cent for those aged 25-34.
However, one in four motorists said they tried to be environmentally conscious behind the wheel in some way, with those over 45 most likely to make an effort to be green.
“All drivers have a responsibility to try to minimise their impact on the environment,” says Sue Waterfield of Young Driver. “But many of us struggle to know how to go about it. People continue to rely on their cars — not everyone has access to an electric vehicle and at the moment using public transport is difficult.”
Here are the 10 tips for greener driving in a petrol or diesel vehicle that Young Driver teaches its students.
Be smooth
Smoother driving is key to being a more environmentally friendly driver. Less heavy braking or overzealous acceleration means you waste less fuel — which is better for both your pocket and the environment.
Move up through the gears
Moving through the gears as quickly as possible (around 2000-2500 rpm) will help you use fuel more economically.
Don’t overload
The heavier your car is, the more fuel it will burn. Ensure any extra weight is removed from the car before each trip — that includes roofboxes, which also add extra drag. Don’t use your car as storage space.
Maintain a sensible speed
Going too fast will use extra fuel, as well as being potentially dangerous. Cruise control is useful to maintain a constant speed when appropriate.
Check your tyres
If your tyres are underinflated, not only is it dangerous, but you’ll also use more fuel, which is bad for the environment. Make sure you check your tyre pressures regularly — every season change.
Chill out
Air-conditioning can really increase your fuel usage, so where possible try to open windows rather than automatically putting the AC on. However, the one exception to that is when driving over 80km/h — then the air-con is actually more efficient than opening a window.
Keep up with maintenance
Making sure your car is running as it should be is vital to ensure it is as eco-friendly as possible.
Switch off
Some modern cars do this automatically, but if the car is standing still for more than a few minutes, switch off the engine — while parked, or in even a stationary traffic jam.
Plan ahead
Check out your route beforehand to make sure you know where you’re going, and to check for any possible delays or hold-ups, which may add extra time or miles to your journey. The Waze app is good for planning.
Keep watch
When approaching traffic lights or needing to stop, if it’s safe, try reducing your speed gradually by easing off the accelerator, rather than having to brake. If you can avoid stopping completely, you’ll increase fuel efficiency.