by Anna Hann
posted on 30 May 2025
Helping the environment as a driver doesn’t necessarily require dramatic changes. While driving might not seem like an obvious way to make a positive impact, small, thoughtful choices, such as choosing a cleaner vehicle, keeping it well-maintained, and planning journeys more efficiently, can significantly reduce a vehicle’s environmental footprint.
Everyday driving habits matter, adopting eco-safe driving, or ‘green driving’, techniques. A smoother, more efficient driving style helps reduce fuel consumption and lowers harmful emissions. These small adjustments can contribute to a cleaner environment and a healthier planet, even for drivers of diesel or petrol vehicles.
Wondering exactly how can a driver help the environment? Here are eight, practical steps.
1. Focus on fuel efficiency
One of the easiest and most effective ways for drivers to help the environment is to reduce how much fuel a car uses. The more fuel a vehicle burns, the more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases it releases into the atmosphere. Being fuel efficient not only helps shrink your carbon footprint, it also saves money at the pump as fuel consumption is lower.
A fuel-efficient vehicle is a great place to start, but driving habits make a big difference too. Even the most advanced diesel and petrol vehicles can waste fuel and harm the environment if they’re driven aggressively.
Drive gently to reduce your carbon footprint
Smooth acceleration helps your car run more efficiently and burn less fuel. On the flip side, slamming the accelerator wastes fuel and pumps more emissions into the environment. Accelerating gently not only improves your fuel economy, it also makes your journey more relaxed and encourages more mindful, considerate driving.
Stick to the speed limit
Rapid accelerations and speeding doesn’t just increase the risk of accidents, it also burns extra fuel, especially on motorways where wind resistance builds up. Sticking to the speed limit and trying to drive slower, particularly on motorways, improves fuel economy and reduces pollutants like nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide.
Maintain a steady speed
Keeping speed consistent avoids the fuel-wasting cycle of speeding up and slowing down. If it’s available, cruise control can help maintain a steady speed on open roads and at higher speeds, reducing fuel consumption and pollutants into the enviroment.
Avoid heavy braking
Try to read the road ahead and ease off the accelerator early when you see traffic or a junction coming up. It reduces the need for sudden braking, which is fuel efficient and makes your drive smoother. Plus, it helps your tyres last longer, so it’s a win all around.
Drive slower when appropriate for good fuel consumption
Driving slower in traffic, town centres, or poor weather improves control and reduces fuel use. It’s a small, effective habit that supports environmentally friendly driving, reduces fuel consumption, and lowers emissions.
2. Practice eco-safe driving techniques
One of the easiest and most effective ways to be a greener driver is by building better habits behind the wheel. Eco-safe driving or green driving isn’t about being overly cautious, it’s about staying in control, thinking ahead, and driving smoothly. Not only is it a way for drivers to help the environment, the techniques are fuel efficient, putting less strain on vehicles, and makes the whole driving experience more relaxed.
Look further down the road
Keep an eye on what’s happening up the road, such as traffic flow, traffic lights, roundabouts, and junctions. When drivers can anticipate what’s coming, they can adjust your speed gradually instead of slamming the brakes or hitting the accelerator. It’s a calmer way to drive, reduces fuel consumption as well as wear on the brakes and engine.
Keep a safe, relaxed distance
Following other road users too closely, or tailgating, means reacting constantly, which leads to harsh braking and wasted fuel. Leaving more space allows for gentler responses and helps keep the journey (and that of other drivers) stress-free.
Avoid unnecessary idling to reduce air pollution
Leaving the car idling while parked or waiting wastes fuel and adds to local pollution and greenhouse gases. If stopped for over a minute, switching the vehicle off helps save fuel and significantly reduces unnecessary emissions.
Make the most of cruise control
On flat, open roads, cruise control can help maintain a steady pace and improve fuel efficiency. Just remember to turn it off on hills or winding routes, where manual control may be more efficient to maximise the benefits of eco-safe driving for the environment.
Adopt good driving habits
Driving with smooth acceleration and shifting gears smoothly leads to fewer sudden moves and improved fuel economy. It’s good for the vehicle, the fuel tank, and the environment. A calm mindset supports better decision-making, smoother driving, and less stress behind the wheel. It’s better for fuel use, mental well-being, and everyone else on the road.
3. Keep up with regular maintenance
Taking care of a car with regular vehicle maintenance is essential for fuel efficiency, reduces harmful emissions to help the environment, and avoiding costly repairs. A properly maintained vehicle performs better, is more fuel efficient, and stays cleaner longer.
Keep the vehicle in good shape
Routine servicing and tune-ups help the car run smoothly and efficiently. A clean, well-adjusted engine burns fuel more cleanly and responds better on the road.
Check oil filters
Clean oil and filters help the engine run smoothly and do its job without extra effort. When the oil gets dirty or the filters are clogged, the car has to work harder than it should. Regular oil changes and keeping filters in good shape can make a big difference. It helps the car run better, saves money on fuel, and is easier on the environment.
Change air filters
It’s not just oil filters. Air filters are especially important because they keep dust, dirt, and debris from getting into the engine. When the filter is clean, the engine gets the right air to mix with fuel, which helps it run more efficiently. But when the filter is clogged, airflow is restricted, which throws off that balance and leads to poor performance and higher fuel use. Replacing a dirty filter is a quick and easy fix that can improve fuel economy, reduce emissions into the environment, and keep the car in good shape for the long run.
Look after the tyres
Under-inflated tyres create extra rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work harder and consume more fuel. This not only decreases fuel efficiency but also causes uneven tyre wear and shortens the lifespan of the tyres. Keeping tyres inflated to the recommended pressure improves handling, braking performance, and overall vehicle safety. It also helps the engine operate efficiently, reducing emissions and saving on fuel costs.
Plan for regular servicing
Even if a car seems fine, regular servicing is essential. Mechanics can catch problems early, optimise performance, and make sure the vehicle meets emissions standards, which is all good for the environment.
Regular maintenance saves fuel, reduces pollution, and protects the vehicle from bigger problems later on. It’s a simple way to help the environment while saving money in the long run.
Take care of an EV to keep it eco-friendly
Electric vehicles are a great way to lower emissions, but still need regular care to stay eco-friendly. Even without oil changes or as many moving parts to maintain, it’s important to keep tyres inflated, check the battery cooling system, replace cabin filters, and stay on top of brake fluid, software updates, and battery health. A well-maintained EV runs more efficiently, needs fewer charges, and leaves a smaller carbon footprint over time.
4. Remove heavy items and reduce drag
Carrying extra weight or bulky accessories can really affect a car’s fuel efficiency. A lighter, sleeker vehicle uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions into the environment, especially on longer or faster journeys.
Clear out the boot
Unnecessary items in the boot add weight, which means the vehicle has to work harder to move the car. The heavier the load, the higher the fuel consumption, so it’s worth giving the vehicle a quick tidy to remove heavy items.
Remove roof racks when not needed
Roof racks, boxes, and bike carriers create extra drag, which increases fuel consumption at higher speeds. Taking them off when not in use can improve aerodynamics and reduce emissions that damage the environment.
5. Use the car’s features wisely
Many modern cars have features designed to improve comfort, but some can increase fuel consumption if overused. Others are great for greener driving and the environment. Being selective with how and when these features are used can make driving more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Use air conditioning sparingly
Air conditioning uses more fuel, especially during slower urban driving. Opening the window is often more efficient and better for the environment than air conditioning or climate control when travelling at lower speeds.
Let eco-friendly tech do its job
If the car has stop-start technology, letting it take over when at traffic lights or stuck in traffic helps reduce fuel use, lower emissions, and limit unnecessary idling.
Use features that support green driving
Some tools, like eco driving modes or gear shift indicators, help improve efficiency. Getting familiar with these features can support greener driving and save drivers money by reducing fuel consumption.
6. Drive smarter in traffic and challenging conditions
Busy roads, bad weather, and stop-start traffic affect fuel efficiency and driving comfort. With some forward planning, fuel use can be reduced, safety maintained, and efficiency improved.
Avoid peak times when possible
Try to travel during quieter periods to avoid congestion. Fewer stops and starts mean less fuel burned and lower carbon emissions overall.
Choose smoother routes
Using roads with fewer junctions or heavy traffic signals helps maintain a more consistent speed. Even if a route is slightly longer, it can be more efficient if traffic flows better and drivers can drive faster.
Stay alert to road conditions
Wet roads, potholes, or sudden changes in traffic can lead to sharp braking and poor fuel efficiency when driving. Staying aware of surroundings helps ensure smooth and safe reactions.
7. Consider an electric vehicle
Switching to, or hiring, an electric vehicle is one of the most effective and eco friendly ways to reduce environmental impact. EVs are cleaner and quieter than petrol or diesel cars, and they’re also more energy-efficient because more of the battery’s power goes straight into driving the wheels.
Cut exhaust emissions
Unlike petrol and diesel vehicles, EVs produce zero emissions while driving, which helps reduce air pollution and improves air quality in busy areas. It’s an eco-friendly choice and a big step towards greener, cleaner roads. Hybrid cars are an eco-friendly alternative too, where green driving comes from a combination of electric power and a traditional engine. While they still produce some emissions, they typically emit fewer pollutants than standard vehicles, especially when driven efficiently in urban traffic.
Move away from diesel when upgrading
Switching from diesel to electric is worth considering when replacing a vehicle or renting a car. Diesel vehicles release more pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulates, contributing to harmful air pollution.
Charge responsibly for cleaner driving
The environmental impact of driving electric also depends on where the electricity comes from. Charging with energy from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydro is the cleanest option.
If charging at home, consider switching to a green provider. When using public chargers, look for networks that use or offset renewable power. Charging during off-peak hours can also reduce strain on the grid and lower emissions if fossil fuels are in the mix. Being mindful about how and when charging happens helps make EV ownership even more sustainable.
8. Share cars
Turo makes it easy for people to drive when they need to, without everyone owning a car. Whether as a host sharing a vehicle or as a guest borrowing one, car sharing helps reduce the environmental impact of personal transport.
Car owners can make better use of their vehicles
If a car often sits idle, listing it on Turo helps put it to good use. Sharing a vehicle reduces the need for others to buy a car, cutting down on production emissions, overall demand, and more pollutants.
Reduce emissions and road congestion
Fewer cars on the road means lower fuel use, fewer greenhouse gases, and less traffic. Sharing or borrowing a vehicle contributes to cleaner air and less pollution.
A more sustainable way to drive
Turo connects people who already own cars with those who only need them sometimes. It’s a practical, eco-friendly way to travel, supporting better use of the vehicles and transport options already out there.
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