One-hit Wonder
In an urban area it’s worth considering joining a car club. These are growing fast, and there may now be one in your area. Check out CarPlus, CityCarClub or StreetCar.
The Big Ask
If you are replacing a car, choose an eco-friendly one. In an urban area it’s worth considering an electric car such as the G-Wiz. Hybrids (Toyota and Honda) are also good. The Environmental Transport Association has a good car buyers guide, and there are many websites looking at the greenest cars available.
Repeating Challenge
Leave your car at home as often as you can. Challenge yourself to be prepared to walk/cycle further distances.
Occasional
Do a ‘car fast’ for one week and see what happens….
One-hit Wonder
Join the Environmental Transport Association rather than the AA or RAC.
The Big Ask
Share a car with another family who live close by.
The Big Ask
Only have one car for your household.
Repeating Challenge
If you have to drive somewhere, plan ahead to combine tasks.
Repeating Challenge
Do all your car-based jobs once a week.
Think on This
Get hold of Cutting Your Car Use: Save Money, Be Healthy, Be Green! by Anna Semlyen (Totnes: Green Books; 2001)
Repeating Challenge
Slow down! Driving at 70mph uses 25-30% more fuel than driving at 50.
Repeating Challenge
Change your driving patterns to be more fuel-efficient: get into the higher gears as quickly as possible, don’t brake hard, keep tyres well inflated and keep your car well serviced.
The Big Ask
Convert your car to LPG.
The Big Ask
Become a car-free household.
One-hit Wonder
Make your next car a hybrid or an electric car (see GoinGreen.co.uk)