Many of us aspire to live a greener, healthier lifestyle that leaves little to no trace on the world around us. Many of us also happen to be car owners and drivers, and as we all know, driving a car isn’t exactly an eco-friendly habit. In fact, motorized transportation is a significant contributor to air pollution and a major cause of global warming. In an ideal world, most of us would be able to abandon this type of transportation altogether and rely on more eco-friendly means to get around. In the real world, though, each one of us would do what we can in order to become more environmentally friendly car owners and drivers. And it doesn’t have to be difficult, either! Below, four simple steps to environmentally friendly car ownership.
Drive an old car instead of replacing it
There’s no doubt that newer vehicles have their own perks. However, investing in a sleek new whip isn’t something you should do if you want to become a greener car owner. Surely, its gasoline-powered cousin may not be as fancy, but it’s infinitely less harmful to the environment. The reason for that is simple – producing new cars and their necessary replacement parts comes with a hefty price tag to the environment. Driving an old car to the ground is much more efficient than trading it in for a newer, seemingly better one.
Of course, there are a couple of tweaks you can tackle to make your car more environmentally friendly even if it’s an older one. Start by making sure it has dependable, high-quality tires. Then, invest in upgrades such as new spark plugs along with energy-conserving synthetic lubricants. Also, make it a habit to go for regular tune-ups. A well-maintained car is not only better for the environment, but also wallet-friendly, and with proper care and occasional repairs, a well-built car can last you for decades.
Combine your errands
Our overflowing schedules and hectic days can often leave us too drained to even plan our routes. It’s so much easier to just head to the store, the bank, the gas station, or the dry cleaners when you feel the need to. While it may be more convenient, it’s not exactly something an eco-friendly driver would do.
Sometimes, all it really takes to make your car green is simply thinking in advance and planning your to-do list beforehand. Rather than separating your errands into chunks throughout the day, try combining your errands and planning your route accordingly. In doing so, you’ll be saving both money and time while also doing Mother Nature a giant favor.
Find alternatives to driving your car
Another effective and simple way to reduce your transportation footprint is to look for alternatives to driving your car if and whenever that is possible. Individually owned cars can be very convenient, and they can certainly be made greener when used to their fullest potential. This usually isn’t the case, and it takes an unnecessary toll on Mother Nature.
One of the best solutions to this problem is to simply look for car share services in your particular area. Instead of manufacturing cars that will only sit on the driveway or city streets, ride sharing allows us to reduce a significant amount of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere. While it may not work for everyone, sharing a vehicle could be a step in the right direction for those looking to reduce both personal financial and environmental costs.
Switch to an environmentally friendly car
We already talked about how buying a used car is more environmentally friendly than getting a new car. The only exception is when you’re switching to an eco-friendly car. If you have the necessary funds and are set on making this green change, then there’s no reason not to get yourself a hybrid car. With cleaner emissions and lower cost of gas, green cars present a sustainable solution for eco-conscious car owners.
What’s more, researchers have found that hybrid cars might be safer than their non-hybrid counterparts. This means you get to drive more cautiously, but you can also spot a danger on time and prevent a potential car accident as well. To score a good eco-friendly car, pay attention to fuel economy and cost of ownership, and make sure to shop around and read multiple reviews. Finally, factor in your needs and lifestyle as well. Will it be a family car, a handsome 4×4 pick-up, or a car you’re going to use for business? We’ll leave that up to you to decide.
Wrapping up
Knowing better means being able to do better, and finding ways to reduce your car’s carbon footprint is the perfect starting point. Of course, you don’t have to do it all at once. Embrace these green changes one by one, and you’ll be well on your way of becoming a nature-friendly, green car owner and driver.
