You do not need a new electric car to reduce your impact. Keeping your current car longer and running it well avoids the emissions of building a new one, and a few habits can cut fuel use by a meaningful margin.
Drive more smoothly
Driving style has the biggest effect, and it costs nothing. Hard acceleration and late braking waste energy every time. Look further ahead, ease off early when you see a red light, and keep a steady speed on the highway, using cruise control where it is safe. Speed matters a lot above 50 mph: aerodynamic drag rises quickly, so a few miles per hour slower makes a noticeable difference.
Idling is another easy one. A modern engine does not need to warm up for minutes; drive off gently after half a minute instead.
Look after the basics
Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and wear. Check the pressure once a month when the tires are cold, using the figure on the sticker inside the driver’s door rather than the maximum printed on the tire. Keep up with oil changes using the grade recommended in your manual, replace a clogged air filter on older cars, and get a “check engine” light looked at, since a faulty oxygen sensor or misfire can raise fuel use and emissions. Our guide to maintaining your car covers the schedule.
Carry less, drag less
Extra weight costs fuel, so clear out heavy items you do not need. Roof racks and roof boxes are worse: they disturb the airflow, and the US Department of Energy notes that a large roof-top cargo box can cut fuel economy significantly at highway speed. Take them off when they are not in use.
Air conditioning uses energy too, but at highway speed, open windows also add drag. In general, windows down in town and AC on the highway is a reasonable rule.
Rethink short trips
Cold engines are at their least efficient during the first few miles, so short trips use far more fuel per mile than longer ones. Combine errands into one outing, walk or cycle for very short distances, and share rides when you can.
When you do replace the car
At some point, a newer, more efficient car makes sense. A hybrid or electric model will usually lower your emissions considerably, and choosing a smaller vehicle helps whatever the drivetrain. The guides to sustainable cars and improving fuel economy go further, and the fueleconomy.gov driving tips give estimates of how much each habit saves.
