Reduce Your Carbon Footprint From Driving

Alternatives to driving

When possible, walk or ride your bike in order to avoid carbon emissions entirely. Carpooling and public transportation drastically reduce CO2 emissions by spreading them out over many riders. By using bike rides you can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint.

Drive a low carbon vehicle

High mileage doesn’t always mean low CO2 emissions. All vehicles have an estimated miles-per-gallon rating. Electric cars emit no CO2 if they’re charged with clean electricity. If you don’t charge it with your home’s solar panels AND live somewhere like WY, MO, MO, WV, or KY you’re BETTER OFF with a hybrid or high-mileage gas/diesel car. After incentives and gas savings, it essentially costs nothing to switch to an electric car like the the Nissan Leaf. This small step can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint.

Get a hitch-mounted cargo rack

Don’t buy a minivan or SUV if you don’t need 4WD and/or will only occasionally need the extra space. A receiver hitch and a rack only cost a few hundred bucks. Avoid roof-top boxes, which cost much more, increase aerodynamic drag, and decrease fuel economy. This smart choice can even Reduce Your Carbon Footprint.

Driving style

Racing and unnecessary acceleration reduce mileage by up to 33%, waste gas and money, and increase your carbon footprint.

Tire inflation and other tuning

Properly inflated tires improve your gas mileage by up to 3%. It also helps to use the correct grade of motor oil, and to keep your engine tuned, because some maintenance fixes, like fixing faulty oxygen sensors, can increase fuel efficiency by up to 40%.

Avoid traffic

Being stuck in traffic wastes gas and unnecessarily creates CO2. Use traffic websites and apps and go a different way or wait.

Misc.

Combine assignment to make fewer trips. Remove excess weight from your car. Use cruise control.