If you want to travel sustainably in your own car, an electric car will save the climate in the long term. But what if you can’t afford an electric car or it just doesn’t fit into your everyday life?? Then you can also protect the climate with your combustion engine by using certain tricks.
Here are six tips to help you reduce CO2 emissions when driving a car with a combustion engine.
New job offers
| performance marketing manager (m/f/d) social media full or part time social DNA in frankfurt am main |
|
| /> | editor (m|f|d) – focus on social media C3 creative code and content gmbh in berlin |
| /> | senior/lead editor social media (m|f|d) C3 creative code and content gmbh in munich |
1. Drive less often
It sounds banal, but it’s actually the best way to reduce your fuel consumption (and your e-car, too)!) to be more sustainable. So think about where you can avoid car journeys in your everyday life.
Can you do certain things on foot, by bike or by public transport?? In that case, you should do it as often as possible instead of driving.
Do you have the possibility to go shopping by cargo bike from time to time?? Or you can stop by the supermarket on your way home from work and save an extra trip? Is there an initiative in your city to replace the parents’ cab??
If you also have the option of working from your home office, you can avoid a lot of driving emissions just by doing this. Of course it is not always possible to avoid a car trip. But the more you think about how you could do this, the more likely you are to find alternatives.
2. Share your car
If you’re traveling by car, consider whether you can bring other people with you. If you can carpool to school or work, for example? Or do you even have the option of sharing a car with your flatmate?? Then you should definitely take advantage of this.
Because more people per vehicle means fewer cars on the road and fewer emissions. by the way, carpooling not only reduces the burden on the environment, but also on traffic and saves money when everyone shares the gas money.
In corona times, this is certainly a more limited option. but it’s not impossible – if, for example, all passengers have one of the 3gs (vaccinated, recovered, tested) and also wear masks. here, of course, each person must decide for themselves how safe they currently feel with carpooling.
3. Take advantage of car sharing offers
If you are someone who only occasionally needs your own car, you could also use a car sharing service as an alternative to a car. Station-based car sharing in particular has been proven to be more climate-friendly.
This solution may not be for everyone. But if there’s a good offer in your area, it’s worth giving it a try. You might even decide to get rid of your own car altogether.
4. Smooth driving reduces CO2 emissions in the car
Full throttle at a green light and slam on the brakes when the light turns red: that’s exactly what drives up your fuel consumption – and thus your emissions. Instead, be gentle with the accelerator and brake pedal. This not only protects the environment, but also your car parts.
another tip: don’t overload your car if it’s not necessary. You don’t have to carry the roof rack or heavy sports equipment on every trip, for example. Less weight in the car also means that you use less fuel.
5. Don’t put off maintenance
Yes, it’s annoying. But regular maintenance also ensures that your car always runs optimally. Because worn parts or defects, for example in the air conditioning system, also mean higher fuel consumption.
At the same time, spark plugs, air filters and soot particle filters directly influence the CO2 emissions of your car. The better you take care of your vehicle, the more sustainable you will be on the road. And in the end, you’ll probably save on high repair costs, too.
With regular inspections, small defects can be repaired at an early stage before they turn into major, expensive damage.
6. Choosing more sustainable tires
Your choice of tires can also help you reduce CO2 emissions from your car. There are manufacturers who use recycled materials in tire production. Tires with low rolling resistance also reduce fuel consumption – and thus emissions.
by the way: make sure to check your tire pressure regularly. Because even 0.4 bar below the target value causes more wear, and the higher rolling resistance in turn increases fuel consumption by up to 0.3 liters per 100 kilometers.
Linkedin-guide free of charge!
Sign up now for our weekly newsletter BT kompakt. As a thank you we give you our linkedin guide.
Conclusion: you can reduce CO2 emissions in your car, even with a burner
Clearly, driving your own car, and a car with an internal combustion engine at that, is not ideal for the climate. But there is not always the option of replacing the car or switching to an electric vehicle.
However, with a few tricks, you can at least reduce your emissions and be more sustainable on the road, even with a combustion engine.