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eTyres care about our customers. The
following article may be of interest.
Drive slower, save the planet !
by Sophie Evans
Site: Hoot Article Release details: Immediate Date: 23
September 2005
Drive slower, save the planet!
The environment is a hot issue that we just can't afford
to ignore any longer. To some, being environmentally
aware is a way of life, a necessary and fundamental
aspect of existence. To others being 'green' is
something to aspire to, a lifestyle that with a bit of
guidance could be achievable.
Young people have been brought up in a culture of
ecological revelations, such as the depletion of the
ozone layer and melting polar ice caps. We all know that
these things are still happening yet we've still got a
long way to go before the impacts of modern society on
our planet are decelerated. Our parents weren't
particularly clued up about the effect that peoples'
actions have on their environment and recycling was
certainly never an option in many houses in the 80s and
90s. However, these days we do have the resources and
the knowledge to make little changes that can improve
the planet for the better. If we can slow down on the
road then we might be able to slow down climate change.
High levels of Co2 emissions are one of the biggest
influencers of climate change and environmental damage.
Exhaust emissions contain a myriad of chemicals which
clog up the atmosphere and cause long term damage to our
surroundings. Aviation contributes to a large proportion
of the damage. Each jet requires hundreds of thousands
of gallons of fuel to get to its destination. Short of
getting to your holiday resort by rail, a bit tricky if
you're off to the Maldives, there is little that you or
I can do about aviation emissions. However, drivers can
make a massive difference to the environment by taking a
few steps to reduce their emissions and help reduce
harmful pollution.
You can reduce the amount of fuel you use by up to 25%
by changing some of your habits. Driving is expensive,
with the cost of car insurance, road tax and fuel to
consider. It's not difficult to alter your lifestyle; we
owe it to our future offspring and more importantly
right now, we owe it to our pockets! Whilst we may not
live long enough to see the benefit to the environment
we can feel the immediate benefit to our pockets.
By being slightly more conscientious drivers we can all
make a huge difference. Follow these tips from
www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk and you'll soon help protect
the planet and feel the immediate payback in your
pocket.
* Keep a steady speed when driving; by reducing the use
of your pedals you reduce the use of fuel.
* Anticipate conditions, and accelerate and decelerate
efficiently. This is safer and uses less fuel. It is
also proven that you won't get to your destination
faster by speeding. According to Earteasy.com the most
fuel-efficient speed for your car is roughly 55 mph, or
90 km/h. Increasing your speed from 55 mph to 75 mph
boosts your fuel consumption a stunning 20 percent!
* If you are in traffic or caught behind railway gates,
then turn off your engine. Idling uses up a great deal
of fuel especially when some train gates stay down for
as long as ten minutes.
* Keep your tyres pumped up to the correct level. This
will save you up to 4% fuel.
* Maintain your car and change the air filter as
recommended by the manufacturers' guidelines.
* If at all possible, car share to work, this will save
you money and give you a clear conscience! Some
companies arrange car share schemes as do some local
councils. See www.nationalcarshare.co.uk and
www.liftshare.co.uk for more information.
* Walk to work if you live nearby. Not only will this
keep you fit but you'll also save fuel and money.
* Buy a car with a small engine. This will not only cut
emissions but also means really cheap car insurance,
cheaper tax and manoeuvrability in busy towns. Driving a
4x4 means 50% less fuel efficiency, so unless you are a
farmer and regularly go off road, there really is no
need to drive a gas guzzling vehicle in urban areas. By
the way spray on mud is a dead giveaway!
So, we can all cut our costs and save the planet at the
same time by making a few changes to the way we drive,
but what about the future of fuel? Surely driving more
slowly can't be the only solution?
The future of travel
There are some innovative new energy solutions, new
engine designs and hybrid car concepts which are set to
take off in the years to come.
Hybrid cars are vehicles that have an ordinary
combustion engine combined with another energy source
such as batteries or electricity. The alternative energy
source takes over from the engine when it is
inefficient, such as during long slow drives. These
hybrids are extremely efficient and half as polluting as
normal cars with petrol engines. The good news is you
don't even have to change your beloved car because it
can be converted as long as it's less than six years
old. This can be costly but long term it could save you
money. There are also several government schemes running
that can help you to convert your car. Some
manufacturers have already caught onto the benefits of
hybrid vehicles. For examples of hybrids look at the
Toyota Prius, the Ford Escape and the Honda Accord to
name but a few.
Electric cars may be the way ahead for city dwellers.
With no emissions and using a quarter of the energy
consumption of a similar sized petrol car they may
revolutionise driving in the longer term. Although the
cars currently on the market only drive at a maximum of
40 mph, they are exempt from tax, some congestion
charges and great news for young people... they are in
the lowest car insurance group. After the initial outlay
of around ?8,000 the car is cheap to run and extremely
eco-friendly.
The future of fuel
Sulphur free fuel: We can expect to be able to buy this
by 2008, in fact this will become compulsory by that
date.
Biodiesel: This is a blend of 95% low sulphur diesel and
5% rapeseed oil. This reduces CO2 emissions by as much
as 5% and can be used in an engine that hasn't been
converted to this type of fuel.
Bioethanol: Although this could take years to become
widely available it produces less air pollutants and is
renewable. It is made through the distillation of wheat,
sugar or biomass. It can be used blended in unmodified
engines or straight in modified engines.
The future of our environment is in our hands. If you
can't afford to buy a hybrid car or convert your engine,
you can certainly make a start on your eco friendly
lifestyle by following the driving tips above. It's not
too late to decelerate the impact of our polluting
behaviour by decelerating our driving. It really is
worth it for the future of the planet and for the health
of our bank balances.
-ENDS-
Editorial notes: www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk is an online
car insurance provider which offers massive savings on
existing premiums and gives the customers quick quotes
and the ease of buying online. Hoot provides car
insurance for young people only.
About the Author
For more information contact Sophie Evans -
www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk Online car insurance
provider.
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