Did you know that 25% of all UK carbon emissions come from the way we travel? The journeys we make in our cars, the flights we take on holiday and the buses and trains we use to get around all contribute a staggering amount of CO2 to the national total.

A large degree of this transport carbon comes from our cars and, although giving up your vehicle and using a bike may be the most environmentally friendly way to get around, it’s unlikely to appeal to the majority of us. So is there a way to keep our cars without killing the planet?

The good news is that green is the new black and many car companies are investing a huge amount of time, money and resources into making driving a more eco-friendly way to get around. Recent motor shows have been packed with green concept cars, including the first plug-in electric car (Chevrolet Volt) and the super sexy Telsa Roadster, which is powered by 6831 lithium-ion batteries. BMW have also been making waves with their Hydrogen 7 model that can travel 125 miles on hydrogen and 300 miles on gasoline without having to refuel. In ‘hydrogen mode’ the car emits nothing more than water vapour.

Although these cars are exciting, sleek and revolutionary, there is still a relatively sizable problem: they are currently only in the concept stage and most are unlikely to ever make it on to the production line.

Although hydrogen and electricity are at the forefront of green technologies, they do still have their faults. The main handicap for electric cars is that, even with a good charge, the car is unlikely to be able to go further than 40 miles before refuelling. On the other hand hydrogen, hailed as the saviour of motoring, is expensive and highly energy-intensive to convert into a fuel.

It’s highly likely that these technologies will be developed over the next decade and we’ll soon be scooting around, powered by electric or hydrogen motors. But what can we do now to cut our motoring carbon count?

Changing the way you drive is one of the most effective ways to cut the carbon you produce. Try removing any excess weight from your car, such as roof racks, bicycle racks or just clutter in your boot. An extra 100lbs of weight will reduce your fuel economy by up to 2%. Also look at how much the body of you car weighs as this can have a large effect on the amount of fuel you use. In recent years manufacturers have put a huge amount of money into developing lighter cars, using aluminium chassis and plastic interiors.

It’s also important to check that your tyre pressure is correct as this can account for 10% of petrol costs. And, while you’re checking the tyres, also take the time to look under the bonnet or have a professional service. Clogged filters, old spark plugs and gunky oil all suck up extra fuel and therefore create more emissions.

For a really green drive think about joining or setting up a car sharing scheme. A 2005 Department for Transport survey showed that an average of 61% of all car journeys are made with only one occupant in the vehicle. This rate increases to 86% when analysing commuter traffic alone. Car sharing can be a great way to save fuel, cut the wear and tear on your vehicle and help the environment. A study by the University of East Anglia has estimated that if car-sharing in the UK increased by just 18% - the equivalent of two people sharing an additional journey just once a week – just under 10 million tonnes of CO2 could be cut from the UK’s emissions total every year.

Re-thinking the way you drive can make a huge difference to the environment, as well as helping you to save money on fuel and maintenance costs. Have a look at the transport section of the site for more tips on making the switch to greener driving.

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