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Most people these days try and be environmentally conscious where they can and aim to reduce their carbon emissions in lots of different ways. From recycling through to using energy saving LED light bulbs and other energy efficient technologies in the homes, many eco-friendly things have now become a standard part of life for a lot of people. Of course, there is, for a lot of people, a certain amount of balance in trying to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, but also being able to live a convenient lifestyle. While some people are very dedicated to green issues, others have to take a more pragmatic approach and accept that at present, there are no real green solutions that can allow them to do everything they want or need to do. A major one of these areas where compromises often have to be made is car use.
It is well known that cars contribute to pollution and increase the owner’s carbon footprint, but for many people, they are the only available way to get to work, get the kids to school, and make other necessary trips. For some people, it is also necessary to own a large vehicle that requires a lot of gas to run because they use it for work purposes and this is required, or because they have a large family. Rather than feel guilty because you have to use a car, if you want to have less of an impact on the environment than you currently do, it is better to look at feasible ways you can use your car more efficiently, and make sure it is having the lowest emissions possible for the type of car you need.
Here are some ways you can make your family car use more environmentally friendly:
Use Other Ways To Get Around When You Can
Some cities do have good public transport networks, and if you can, using these for some trips can help reduce your car use, and help with traffic issues and pollution in your city. If you can replace your commute to work every day with using the bus, for instance, without adding too much time or stress to your day, then this can be an excellent way to adapt your lifestyle to a greener one.
For short, local trips, you can also consider walking or cycling more often. This has no environmental impact, is free, and is also good for your health. It can also be fun for kids to get out and about on their bikes rather than have to wait to be driven everywhere by their parents. Of course, this isn’t an option everywhere, but if you have cycle friendly roads or places you visit often (such as the shops) that are close to your home, then getting there without your car can be a great habit to adopt.
Carpool and Other Ways to Make Trips More Efficient
The more people there are in your car, the more efficient the trip is. When you are the only person traveling, you are getting roughly the same impact on the environment for your trip as if you have five people all getting where they need to go, so obviously it is best to share rides and plan trips that will allow you to make the most use of the space in your car. In some areas, there are websites that can help get people with similar commutes together so that they can set up carpool plans together, and if you do a school run, you may also be able to work with other parents to find a way to get all of the kids to school on time in as few vehicles as possible. These kinds of schemes are great for lots of reasons. They not only reduce the traffic on the road and carbon emissions, but they also mean each person involved has to do less driving and experiences less wear and tear on their vehicle by coming up with rotas and sharing the work. Of course, it can also be a good way to make new friends!
Make Your Next Car an Energy-Efficient Choice
If you are thinking of replacing your current vehicle, then it can be a good idea to look at the options available that offer the best energy efficiency and eco-friendly stats. Things like hybrid engines have improved immeasurably since they were first introduced, and you can now find a lot of great looking, powerful cars that use this kind of technology. These cars are cheaper to run, quieter, and of course, reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. However, if you don’t want a hybrid, or can’t find one in your price range that does what you need it to do, think about other ways you can be more energy efficient with your next car. Could you do what you need to do with a smaller car? Could your family manage with fewer vehicles between you than you currently have?
Keep Your Car Well Maintained and Working at its Best
The efficiency of an individual car can actually vary a lot depending on its current state of maintenance and your driving style. Things like a good engine control module can make a huge difference. Find out more about those at this site, which offers ECM technology for a wide range of the US and imported vehicles by brands like Cummins ECM. Even small and easy to fix things like having the right tire pressures can affect how well your car runs, and the closer it is to optimal efficiency, the better your fuel consumption and emission rates will be. Take care of your car and learn about the aspects of car maintenance that can help keep your car in its greenest condition!
As you can see, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your environmental impact when it comes to car usage, and some of them also have additional benefits you’ll notice straight away!
P.S: Hope you enjoyed this article. Please type in your thoughts in the comment section below. For more learning opportunities, join our live webinar sessions at EAT Community where you can make a little money making the planet better.
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- Electric Cars – Should You Buy One?
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