Cars is the main mode of transport contributing to carbon emissions, especially for those of us who do not live in cities with good public transport links. Decarbonising our transport network is key to reaching Net Zero and how we travel really matters to our environment. A study from Environmental International analysing commutes in 800 cities around the world shows we use. The commutes vary hugely by region: wealthier continents make more trips by car with the USA and Canda making 92% of their commutes by car and Europe make 45% by car. East Asia uses public transport the most with 46% of commutes made by this form of transport. Africa make the highest percentage of commutes by foot and bike at 38%. These statistics need to change towards more commutes taking place by foot, bike and public transport. But if you are heavily dependent on driving a car, what can you do to minimise its impact on the planet?

What shall I do if I don’t want to change my existing car?

If you are happy with your existing car which is not electric, the best thing to do is to keep it on the road for as long as possible. The reason why is because a new car requires a lot of carbon and energy to make. The only exception to this is if your car is inefficient and you have a high mileage of around 20000 miles or more a year. In this case, it is worth investing in a more efficient, modern car to bring down its carbon footprint.

What if I am thinking of buying a new car?

The ideal car to buy is a small, efficient, second-hand car that is electric or a plug-in hybrid. The larger the car, the more carbon and energy it takes to make. A car that is electric or a hybrid takes off at least a third off emissions from driving. Do not believe in the myth that electric cars take up so much energy to make that it cannot be paid off in its life time. This is NOT true, and the carbon footprint of making an electric car is paid off in two years.

The carbon footprint of an electric car still matters!

If you have an electric car, do not assume that you don’t need to think about its carbon footprint. Generating electricity creates carbon emissions, so the more you drive, the more carbon emissions you are producing (which comes from mainly fossil fuels in most countries). It is better to buy a second-hand electric car because it takes a lot of carbon and energy to make a new car.

Energy efficient ways to drive

If driving is your main mode of transport, there are ways you can drive that are more energy efficient. Driving at a slower speed cuts the amount of fuel used by the car. Driving smoothly also uses less fuel, so when you are driving between speed bumps, do not drive fast in between them and then break quickly and instead drive at a steadier pace, as this will also reduce the amount of fuel you use. Putting weight on the car roof increases the amount of fuel used because it creates extra drag, so avoid putting things on top of the car if you can. Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption, so it is good to check the state of your tyres before you go on a journey. Also opening the car window to cool down instead of using the air conditioning reduces energy use. Driving efficiently will bring down the carbon footprint of driving your car.