For local travel consider leaving the car at home and either walk, cycle or use public transport
Keep the vehicle properly serviced
Check tyre pressures at least once a fortnight
Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in the boot
Plan the journey, so you don't get lost and waste fuel
Try to avoid congested areas
When starting up, there is no need to allow the engine to warm up - it is better to just drive off
Try to avoid sudden acceleration, engine revving, and sudden braking - harsh accelerating and braking can use up to 30% more fuel and increase wear and tear of the vehicle
Avoid using air conditioning if possible, as this uses more fuel
Drive with the windows closed, as this reduces drag on the vehicle
Accelerate slower
Switch the engine off if you think you are likely to be stationary for more than 2 minutes
On motorways be aware of the cars 3 or 4 ahead, and keep a good distance from the car in front to avoid unnecessary braking
When replacing your car, look for the most carbon efficient (i.e. with a low gCO2/km figure) or with a high mpg - check out our car emissions calculator to see how much you could save
