Hybrid cars

Hybrid cars are powered by a petrol engine and a battery, and are very fuel efficient with little compromise on performance.

Using greener fuels

Biofuels, such as biodiesel and bioethanol, are made from plant materials like vegetable oils or wheat. They can reduce your driving carbon footprint because the plants they're made from absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) when they grow. This helps balance out the CO2 emissions when the fuel is burned.

Biofuels can be mixed with diesel or petrol and used in normal cars with little modification. It is possible to convert vehicles to run on fuel made with a higher proportion of biofuels, which is available from a small number of UK filling stations.

LPG is cleaner, greener and cheaper than petrol, and could prove a quick and easy conversion if you drive a newer petrol car. Lower fuel duty means LPG costs about half the price of unleaded petrol, and it produces 15% less CO2.

Electric cars don't produce any emissions when they are driven (but emissions are produced from electricity generation).

Car sharing

Many overlook the potential of car sharing to reduce their carbon footprint. Whether you link up with a neighbour or friend or join one of the many UK car sharing schemes, it's a great way to do your bit for the environment. If other people will drive your car ensure you include named drivers on your car insurance policy.

Using Sat Nav

A Satellite Navigation system is designed to guide you to your destination in the shortest route possible. If systems are accurate, less mileage means less fuel consumption (and emissions) per journey. Also, because your journeys are shorter, your travelling time is shortened through the use of a GPS.