While electric vehicles are all the rage for many stewards of the environment, you can still be green while operating a car with a gas or diesel engine.
Sure, you can lower your carbon footprint significantly by buying into UC Santa Barbara’s bike-friendly culture. However, that doesn’t mean you have to permanently park cars that have internal combustion engines under the hood.
For many reasons, millions of people in the state, country, and around the world still use their gas-powered vehicles, and that’s not going to change overnight.
Here are five practical, realistic steps you can take while operating a gas car to boost fuel efficiency, cut harmful emissions, and keep your “green cred” intact.
- Reduce Fuel Consumption By Adopting Better Driving Habits
Your driving style plays a much greater role in fuel efficiency than you might think. Aggressive driving and frequent braking all burn more fuel than smooth, controlled driving. Simply easing onto the accelerator and anticipating the traffic flow can reduce your fuel consumption, so you won’t have to stop to refill at gas stations as often.
Keeping a constant speed also reduces the amount of work your engine has to do, and coasting to a gentle stop instead of braking hard will save on fuel. You can also use cruise control, which will slash fuel consumption.
Driving smarter doesn’t cost a thing. Even so, it may require you to adopt new driving behaviors. But if the goal is to keep your green cred, the effort will be worthwhile.
- Properly Maintain Your Vehicle to Reduce Your Environmental Impact
A well-maintained vehicle is a greener vehicle. When engines, tires, and fluid systems are performing the way they should, the car will use less fuel and emit fewer pollutants. Failing to maintain your vehicle periodically, however, will reduce overall performance.
That’s one reason forward-thinking businesses invest in fleet maintenance software. Rather than leaving everything to chance or relying on employees to remember to book or perform maintenance, the right software will send reminders as needed.
Vehicles that are properly maintained will be more environmentally friendly and won’t suffer costly breakdowns at the rate that improperly maintained cars will.
Think of maintenance as a two-for-one solution. Your car will last longer, and your carbon footprint will shrink in the process.
- Opt for Smart Add-Ons and Products That Cut Emissions
You don’t have to make a complete overhaul of your vehicle to increase its eco-friendliness. Low-rolling-resistance tires, for example, reduce friction and improve gas mileage. Another option is to use high-grade, environmentally friendly motor oils that minimize friction in the engine. You’ll see fuel economy rise.
Drivers can also consider various fuel additives on the market that can keep the engine clean. A cleaner engine runs more efficiently and releases fewer emissions. It’s a cost-effective way to ensure your car is better for the environment.
- Eliminate Needless Weight and Simplify Your Routes
The heavier your car is, the harder your engine has to work and the more fuel you burn. Do you travel with a lot of junk or unnecessary stuff in the trunk? If so, unburden your vehicle. You’ll see the fuel economy increase. It might not seem like a lot at first, but it’ll add up over time.
The U.S. Department of Energy, for instance, notes that an extra 100 pounds of stuff in your vehicle can lower the miles per gallon by as much as 2%. It goes without saying that it makes sense to remove anything from your car that isn’t required.
Route planning also plays an important role. Applications and GPS systems enable choosing paths with fewer stops, less congestion, or smoother roads. You’ll see how adjusting your driving habits can save you time and burn less fuel.
- Offset Your Emissions, and Contribute to Environmental Projects
Even the most responsible driving habits will generate some emissions since a car running on gas will always emit something. You can, however, always balance those out by investing in environmental projects that reduce or remove carbon from the atmosphere. Carbon offset programs are pretty common and rather inexpensive.
Many of these types of programs allow you to determine approximately how many emissions you’ll generate per year and let you buy offsets that go toward initiatives like planting trees, renewable energy development, or reforestation.
It’s not an absolute must — but it’s an option worth considering if you want to be as green as you can while driving a gas vehicle.
Driving a gas car does not necessarily disqualify you from being environmentally conscious. As a matter of fact, small and consistent changes can lessen your carbon footprint so you can keep your green cred.
By considering these recommendations, you can minimize any adverse impact on the environment. You don’t have to decide between practicality and sustainability — you can keep your green cred with mindful habits and thoughtful decisions.
