start
Air Quality - Doing Your Bit - How You Can Help to Reduce Air Pollution
We all contribute to local air pollution in some way, so we can all help to reduce it. The obvious way that we can cut pollution is to use the car less.
Before using the car ask yourself -
- Do I really need to make this journey?
- Could I combine several trips rather than making lots of short trips or share a car? Journeys of less than 2 miles when the engine is cold pollute up to 60% more per mile than when the engine is hot.
- Could I walk, cycle or take the bus instead of taking the car?
Did you know? Modern cars produce much less pollution than in the past, but there are many more cars on the road making more trips.
But even while driving there are a number of ways in which we can minimise impact on the environment and save money at the same time. It is estimated that you can save up to 30% in fuel costs by following these tips -
- Don't over-rev the engine - particularly when starting your vehicle.
- Drive smoothly - accelerate smoothly, brake gently.
- Keep to the speed limits - the faster drive the more fuel you use. 50 mph uses 25% less fuel than 70 mph.
- Avoid short journeys - a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective.
- Change up a gear as soon as traffic conditions allow.
- Switch off the engine when idling especially when parked.
- Idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear. Drive off as soon as possible after starting.
- Use air-conditioning sparingly; it can increase fuel consumption by up to 20%.
- Report smoky diesels to VOSA by following the link Reporting a Smoky Diesel Form
It makes sense to look after your vehicle -
- Regular servicing keeps the engine at its most efficient.
- Check your tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres can increase your fuel bills by up to 3%.
- Minimise drag. Accessories such as roof racks, bike carriers, and roof boxes significantly affect your car's aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency, so remember to remove them when not in use.
- Keep an eye on how much fuel you use - less miles per gallon may mean there's a problem.
Choosing a cleaner car -
- Smaller more fuel-efficient models save money on fuel, tax and insurance.
- Fuel economy of similar sized cars can vary by as much as 45%. The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) provides free information on the fuel efficiency for each car. Tel 0117 951 5151 or visit their website on the link VCA
- LPG , electric and hybrid vehicles all have lower emissions than conventional fuels.
- Converting a petrol car to LPG could save you hundreds of pounds per year on fuel, depending on mileage.
- Visit NSCA for advice on choosing a cleaner car by following the link NSCA
- For information about alternative fuels visit the Energy Saving Trust
You can check how your journeys affect the environment and your pocket by following the links below -
To the NSCA 's Air Quality Impact Travel Calculator
and DfT's Act On CO2
You can also do your bit by -
- Using water-based or low VOC paints, varnishes, glues, and wood stains etc.
- Recycling and composting as much as you can
- Choosing 'A-rated' kitchen appliances
- Turning your heating down by 1 degree
- Installing heat pumps or solar panels
Click on the link below to return to the traffic information pages -
Air Quality - Traffic
or click on the following link to return to main Air Quality - Airwatch page
