Low impact driving

See below the Low impact driving Sub-Actions. Click or tap the sections further below to reveal a summary of the benefits of low impact driving, future-gazing to help visualise how this would work for you, a thought-provoking video, a step-by-step guide outlining how to achieve this Top Action, expert tips, and useful links and references.

It is recommended that you pick one or two of the Sub-Actions to progress at a time rather than try and complete them all at once. Visit our Approach page for other tips on how to set yourself up to minimise your environmental impact and get to net zero carbon.

Want to progress this Top Action? Start by making your commitment using the button below, which will help to motivate you to keep progressing.

Have you completed this Top Action already? Select the appropriate button below to update your progress. You would need to complete:

• all the Halfway (0.5) Sub-Actions to complete half of the Top Action.
• all the Halfway (0.5) and Full (1.0) Sub-Actions to fully complete the Top Action.

Cars play a large role in modern society as they offer flexible travel between any locations with connecting roads. Without planning ahead, those with cars can jump in them at short notice with their family members and arrive directly at their destination. Cars also allow a significant amount of possessions to be transported at the same time. Many governments have prioritised the car for decades when making decisions about infrastructure, tax and other policies. Cars have also been seen as a status symbol by many for years and glamourised by the media.

With such factors it is no surprise that many people make the majority of their travel by personal cars fuelled by fossil fuels. A typical car’s internal combustion engine converts fossil fuel to motion, but unfortunately also generates CO₂ and other greenhouse gases as well as air pollutants such as NOx and carbon monoxide and particulate matter (particularly PM2.5) which affect human health. The extraction of fuel also has an environmental impact, whilst the use of fossil fuels can also, in some cases, help to fund wars and social injustices. As we drive all cars (including electric cars), brake dust is created and tyres constantly shed tiny plastic particles which can accumulate in the environment, significantly contributing to air pollution and the problematic increase in microplastics (see the Use eco-friendly products and services (and reduce waste) EcoTracker Top Action). Furthermore, our driving creates noise pollution which negatively impacts wildlife and also ourselves. By choosing to reduce our driving impacts where possible, we reduce our environmental impact across all of these categories.

Our regular use of cars has become a major contributor to the significant air pollution issues in cities and near to major roads, as confirmed by Sustrans. This causes health risks that are increasingly being recognised. A study by Vohra et al (2021), described in the Guardian, attribute a huge 8.7million global excess deaths in 2018 to air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, one in five of the people who died that year.

Remember during the Covid-19 pandemic when our travel was restricted? One silver lining was that air pollution and noise pollution were much reduced, allowing us to enjoy a relatively pollution free local environment in which we could hear the sounds of wildlife, which flourished.

By choosing to reduce our driving impacts where possible and using travel options with lower emissions, we reduce the health impacts on the community, including our self and others, and we reduce our impact on wildlife, allowing it to flourish.

Even low impact driving will always have a level of environmental cost, such as the generation of microplastics as tyres wear down. However, by taking appropriate measures such as maintaining our vehicle, developing an efficient driving style, and getting an electric car we can generally maintain our lifestyle and continue driving but with reduced environmental impact and reduced impacts on human health.

Electric cars cause no exhaust emissions in-use and so much of the air pollution caused by conventional cars is avoided, improving the health of those nearby and avoiding air pollution related deaths. Where the electricity generated is renewable, for instance if an electric car is charged using home solar PV panels (see the Get renewable electricity EcoTracker Top Action), there will be no greenhouse gas emissions, although even if it is charged from the national grid, this will emit significantly less CO₂ than a conventional car. IPCC report that electric vehicles powered by low-carbon electricity have a large potential to reduce life cycle CO₂ emissions, which include for manufacture, use and end-of life.

Investing in an electric car can be expensive, but will save a lot of money on fuel costs. Energy Saving Trust suggests that the cost of fuel for a petrol or diesel car can be three or four times more than the cost of charging the electric car, and electric cars often have lower servicing and maintenance costs. There may be further money to save in vehicle tax, road use (e.g. entry into low emission zones) or parking charges in some locations.

Governments are increasingly supporting electric vehicles and rolling out charging infrastructure, making it easy and convenient to make the majority of journeys in electric cars. The roll out is expected to continue into the future, improving the ease and convenience of using an electric car.

Maintaining cars at the recommended service intervals and developing an efficient driving style will allow them to run more efficiently, saving fuel and reducing their environmental impact and running costs. These approaches will also prolong the car’s working life, so new cars (with additional environmental impact and upfront costs) are needed less regularly. Developing an efficient driving style is also safer and could help you and your loved ones avoid being involved in an accident.

Cars are expensive to purchase, and many cars sit on the driveway for long periods while insurance, tax and maintenance costs continue to be paid. By renting a car you only pay for it when you need it. Alternatively, you could choose to liftshare with someone else or get a taxi, then sit back and relax while you are taken to your destination.

By choosing not to have a car, you save even more money, and you also save the significant environmental cost of manufacture of the car – even electric cars cause a lot of negative environmental impacts to produce at present (particularly the batteries as reported here by the Guardian), although processes are improving. In the long run, we need to reduce the environmental impact of our transport, and the aim is that savings in use from having an electric car (if you need it) will more than make up for the impact of manufacture. See the Buy fewer products (re-use and repair) EcoTracker Top Action, which includes cutting back on under-used cars.

Try and imagine how your life will be and how you will feel when you complete this EcoTracker Top Action. This may feel like a big change or a small change, but really focus on how the benefits of the change could impact and improve your life and the lives of others.

For instance try and imagine how you will feel about:

• your reduced environmental impact which will help avoid the worst effects of climate change, ecological breakdown and air pollution within your lifetime, helping to ensure you and others can live a long and full life.
• improved long term prospects for your children and future generations, who will have a much greater opportunity to avoid climate change, ecological breakdown and air pollution during their lives. They will be much safer than in the alternative future of extreme climate change, ecological breakdown and significant air pollution and many lives will be saved. Will you be able to look your child in the eye in years to come and say that you have done everything you can to protect their future?
• improved opportunities and social justice (climate justice) for those around the world who are currently struggling with the early impacts of climate change and ecological breakdown, with many lives and livelihoods saved.
• maintaining your lifestyle, without producing local air pollution, by getting an electric car.
• saving money in the long run.
• developing a low impact driving style and mindset as a driver will keep you and your loved ones safer and help you avoid stressful drives.
• if you reduce or stop driving and use alternative forms of transport, consider how this may reduce your stress and improve your health.
• some of the above may be really life-changing for you or others in your local area who will suffer less air pollution.

An effective way of developing a commitment and ongoing motivation to progressing this EcoTracker Top Action is to work out which of the themes above generate the most powerful emotional responses for you personally. Then try to capture this in some way and store it for when you might need motivation later.

You might be able to create a strong image in your memory, or a link to existing memories. You might want to write down how you feel say on a post-it note or in a diary as a reminder; perhaps somewhere that you will regularly see the message or somewhere you can come back to when you want to. You might even want to share this on your ‘progress thread’ on social media. If you are feeling creative, perhaps even draw an image to represent your future. Also, consider whether you might already have an object which could trigger your motivation e.g. a picture of your children.

These steps are generic because this is your unique personal journey and you will need to explore the details for yourself, using this process and the Expert Tips below as a guide and support.

The time required to complete steps may vary quite a lot depending on your resources or skill level, or whether or not you do the work yourself or pay a professional to do it. It is recommended that you pick one or two of the Sub-Actions to progress at a time rather than try and do them all at once, and so you may go through steps multiple times for the different Sub-Actions before you have completed the Top Action.

1. Build motivation from within to complete this EcoTracker Top Action, assisted by reading the Benefits and Future-gazing to imagine how your life will improve (10 minutes)
2. Make a personal commitment and share this to social media (5 minutes)
3. Book a time in your diary for progressing your EcoTracker actions – you may wish to set up a regular slot for taking actions (5 minutes)
4. Research – read the guidance on this EcoTracker Top Action page such as the Expert Tips and you may wish to visit the community for support (30 minutes +)
5. Discuss with others in your household and agree broadly what you will do (15-30 minutes)
6. Get the resources lined up e.g. find what you need online, locate or borrow/rent/buy the materials and tools (2-3 hours)
7. Make a final decision on exactly what you will do and book in a date (15 minutes)
8. Complete all Sub-Actions to enable you to complete the Full Top Action (5 + hours)
9. Visit our Tracker page, and share your progress to social media (5 minutes). You may want to share your progress as you go through the steps for each Sub-Action.
10. Once you’ve mastered this Top Action, why not also help others in the community complete their’s, with tips and support (1 minute, periodically)

Don’t blame yourself for your past habits, but choose to focus on what you can improve. Similarly, choose not to blame others in your household or elsewhere for their current or past habits, but to point out to them the damaging impacts of driving and the benefits of electric cars and alternative transport. Encourage and support others to make changes (e.g. by using EcoTracker). You may need to focus on and persist with some of these changes for weeks or months before they become new habits that you don’t need to think about. It can be easier to change our habits during a moment of larger change such as when you move home or get a new job; when you are going through such a period, it is a great time to reset and work on building new habits. See the Approach page for further suggestions on developing habits.

Although Low impact driving can reduce many of the environmental impacts of driving, some cannot be currently reduced without reducing the miles driven, such as the generation of a large amount of microplastics as car tyres wear down. If you are comfortable and able to do so, it is strongly recommended that you choose alternative forms of transport to driving that do not produce such large volumes of microplastics, such as walking, cycling and using public transport – see the Walk, cycle, use public transport and reduce driving EcoTracker Top Action.

If you commute or travel for business consider whether you could avoid travelling (have a video-conference instead) or whether you could take a sustainable travel option rather than the car. Unless you have a clear reason to go into your workplace or you cannot work from home, it is suggested that you continue to regularly work from home.

Keep your car log book up to date with all the services it has had. When you have your car serviced, ask for the next scheduled service date.

Choose to develop an efficient driving style to reduce the environmental impact of every car you drive, by following the tips from Energy Saving Trust. Their key recommendations include:

• Anticipating the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration, and keeping your distance from the vehicle ahead.
• Shifting up early to a higher gear.
• Switch off your engine when the car is not running and not leaving it idling.
• Reduce your speed.
• Open your windows rather than using the air conditioning.
• Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary loads

If you are thinking of purchasing an electric car, you’ll need to ensure that you have sufficient money available to at least put down a significant deposit for a lease agreement. In the UK, grants are available to cover 75% of the cost of installing a home charging point. These grants are typically dealt with by the charging point installer, so you will simply pay the price minus the grant. Previously available UK national grants to partly offset the electric car purchase price were withdrawn in 2022, but do check whether any local grants are available in your area; grants are available in many other countries. Car Magazine suggests that the cost of an electric car is usually higher than an equivalent petrol or diesel alternative, although some models may be less than this. The upfront cost of electric cars has been reducing over time.

As with conventional cars, leasing options are available which allow you to spread out the payments for new car over a number of years, making it more affordable.

If you don’t currently have the money available, try other modes of transport where possible, such as walking, cycling and using public transport – see the Walk, cycle, use public transport and reduce driving EcoTracker Top Action. Also, focus on other EcoTracker Top Actions which save money and make savings over some years until you can afford to get an electric car – you can find these on the Actions page by filtering the Top Actions accordingly.

You will also ideally need to have off-street parking in order to get an electric car charging point installed or you will need regular access to a nearby public charging point where you can leave your car. Electric car charging options for those with on-street or communal car parking are a work in progress, but on the positive side, areas with such limitations are more likely to be in or near city centres which tend to offer good alternatives to driving. It is possible to charge an electric car using a normal household plug, but this will be much slower than getting a specialist charging point installed.

Do some research and decide which types or models of electric car you would ideally like. Visit a number of local car dealerships, where you can look at available models, get quotes and try test drives. This can be a fun day out. You may wish to discuss this with the salespeople, or ask for their suggestions. You could use a website such as Car Wow or Drive Electric or Zap Map to compare available models and prices and get further information. Fully Charged provides a variety of videos, podcasts, articles and other media.

In the UK, use Zap Map, which seeks to make charging electric cars convenient by providing a live map of available charging infrastructure availability, along with other resources, including a variety of articles and tips for purchasing and using an electric car.

Some people are concerned about the range of electric cars, the length of time it takes to recharge them and the number of charging points available. These factors are certainly more than adequate for many people for shorter distance journeys e.g. 100 miles (~160 km) or less, with most modern electric cars offering 150 miles (~240 km) or more on a full charge, while Zap Map can help you to plan longer journeys. As governments and companies continue to roll out improved public charging facilities and innovative solutions, electric vehicles will be able to travel for longer on a charge, have more available charging points and charge quicker.

If you have an electric car, this will work very well with home solar PV panels, which are often generating more electricity than is used in the home, particularly during summer. By plugging in an electric vehicle you can make the most of your renewable energy and reduce your car electricity cost – try the Get renewable electricity EcoTracker Top Action.

Consider hiring or leasing an electric car, so you are not committed for longer than you want. Try Enterprise Car Club or Zipcar which allows you to hire cars regularly when you need them, or Weevee, Onto or Gridserve for longer leasing of electric cars. Consider Hiyacar, which does peer to peer car rental, and if you have an underused car, consider listing your car there too.

Also, consider car sharing either with someone you know or with a stranger using Liftshare or other similar services, so that there are less cars on the road and you share the emissions from one car.

A hybrid car improves upon a petrol or diesel car and could suit some people better than an electric car and provide greater flexibility. These will not count towards achieving the Full EcoTracker Top Action as they still use a significant amount of fossil fuels.

Where you live can have a big impact on how easy it is to achieve this Top Action. It may currently be more challenging to find electric vehicle charging points in rural areas, whereas in cities or well-connected towns, there should be numerous opportunities. The same applies to walking, cycling and using public transport. However, in cities you are less likely to have off-street parking enabling you to easily charge your car at home. If you are not happy with the walking, cycling, public transport or electric vehicle charging infrastructure in your area and this is putting you off, send a letter or email to your MP or local councillors. The more people who raise this as an issue, the more attention it will get. It is likely that more investment will be made in future as governments try to decarbonise the transport system, so do keep up to date with the options available in your local area.

When choosing where to live, do consider the infrastructure available locally, but also how easy it is to get to the places you need to go, including your workplace, shops, entertainment and also the homes of the family and friends who you will meet. An idyllic rural location may tick many boxes, but could see you spending a lot more time in the car (and possibly struggling to find electric vehicle charging points) if you don’t also think about where else you will need to travel to and minimise the distances.

Energy Saving Trust: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/electric-vehicles/  and https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/ecodriving/

Electric cars:

Office for Zero Emission Vehicles: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-zero-emission-vehicles

What Car?: https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-true-cost-of-owning-an-electric-car/n21008

Car Wow: https://www.carwow.co.uk/electric-cars

Drive Electric: https://www.drive-electric.co.uk/

Fully Charged: https://fullycharged.show/

Zap Map: https://www.zap-map.com/live/  and https://www.zap-map.com/electric-vehicles/ev-buying-guide/ and https://www.zap-map.com/electric-vehicles/electric-models/

Leasing electric cars:

Weevie: https://wevee.uk/

Onto: https://on.to/

Renting cars:

Enterprise Car Club: https://www.enterprisecarclub.co.uk/gb/en/about/car-sharing.html

Zipcar: https://www.zipcar.com/en-gb

Hiyacar (peer to peer car rental): https://www.hiyacar.co.uk/rent-a-car

Car sharing:

Liftshare: https://liftshare.com/uk