FIRST &
FOREMOST
Always share vehicles
whether it is cargo vehicles or car share. In both cases the
financial savings can be considerable, whilst also having
the advantage of reducing carbon emissions by at least 50%.
For every shared journey a vehicle is taken off the road which
has the added benefit of reducing congestion, so you get home
earlier as well:-)
Driving
your vehicle
Six smarter driving tips
There are a few easy things you can do when you drive and
look after your car to help reduce the amount of fuel you
burn and so cut down on CO2 emissions. The secret is to help
reduce the amount of work your engine has to do, because the
greater the workload, the more fuel is burned – so the
higher the CO2 emissions. By following our smarter driving
tips you could cut your CO2 emissions by around 8 per cent
– equivalent to an annual fuel saving of up to one month
per year. All you need to get started are the smarter driving
tips below that you can put into practice straight away.
1.Pump
up to cut down
2.Less clutter in
your car means less CO2
3.Driving
at an appropriate speed reduces CO2
4.Less stopping
and starting means less CO2
5.Over revving accelerates
emissions
6.Idling is wasting fuel
1. Pump up to cut down
Under inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is
moving. That means your engine has to work harder, so more fuel
is used and more CO2 emissions are produced. Simply check and
adjust your tyre pressures regularly and also before long journeys.
This will also help to increase the life of your tyres.
Under inflated tyres increase
CO2 but over inflated tyres can be unsafe, so check your car
manual for the correct tyre pressure. Remember, a car with a
heavier load may need different air pressure in the tyres.
2. Less clutter in your
car means less CO2
Clutter in your boot is extra weight your engine has to carry
around. By removing it, you could reduce your engine's workload.
This will burn less fuel and cut your CO2 emissions, so unload
any items you won't need for your journey before you set out.
3. Driving at an appropriate
speed reduces CO2
Speed limits are the maximum lawful speeds which may be driven
in ideal circumstances. Drivers should never exceed the speed
limit. Staying at or within the speed limit increases driver
safety. It also reduces CO2 emissions and saves money on your
petrol costs. At 70mph you could be using up to 9 per cent more
fuel than at 60mph and up to 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph.
4. Less stopping and
starting means less CO2
Every time you stop then start again in a traffic queue, the
engine uses more fuel and therefore produces more CO2. Keep
an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting
your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear.
In this way, the traffic may have started moving again by the
time you approach the vehicle in front, so you can then change
gear and be on your way.
5. Over revving accelerates
emissions
Modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment
they are switched on, so revving up like a Formula 1 car in
pole position only wastes fuel and increases engine wear. Using
your gears wisely by changing up a gear a little earlier can
also reduce revs. If you drive a diesel car, try changing up
a gear when the rev counter reaches 2000rpm. For a petrol car,
change up at 2500rpm.
6. Idling is wasting
fuel
When the engine is idling you're wasting fuel and adding to
CO2 emissions. If you're likely to be at a standstill for more
than three minutes, simply switch off the engine.
Information
courtesy Directgov
Act onC02
™
