On the road

Here are some things you can do to be an eco-friendly driver.

Adopt environmentally friendly driving habits

• Start up gently. A cold start increases fuel consumption by 50% over the first kilometre. The more aggressive the start, the higher the fuel consumption.

• Change gear quickly and smoothly without labouring the engine. Consumption in fifth gear is half of that in third gear.

• Drive smoothly, avoiding harsh acceleration or sudden braking. The aim is to maintain a constant speed. Aggressive driving can increase fuel consumption by 40%.

• Moderating the use of your air conditioning system can save up to 20% in fuel consumption. 

• Keep to the speed limits, which will help you stay safe without losing time. On the motorway for example, driving at speeds higher than those authorised (at 150 km/h instead of 130 km/h for 100 km) will gain you just six minutes. The gain in time is negligible but more CO₂ will be emitted.

• Avoid unnecessarily overloading your vehicle. The heavier the car, the more energy consumed. Additional equipment, even empty, will provide a barrier to aerodynamics. A roof box for example, can increase consumption by 17%, a cycle rack by 35% and a roof rack by 28%.

• Ensure that your tyres are properly inflated. Underinflated tyres result in excess consumption of approximately 3% for a 0.3 bar pressure deficiency. When travelling on the motorway, increase the tyre pressures by 15%. You should check tyre pressure every month or every 500 km, (cold if possible). It is now possible to purchase tyres designed to consume less energy.

Change your habits

• Use public transport. A bus filled with passengers makes it possible to take 40 cars off the road. This also enables you to avoid spending time stuck in traffic jams or looking for a parking space.

• Have your vehicle checked and adjusted each year as required. A well adjusted engine means 20% less pollution and 10% less fuel consumed.

• Have your car washed in a special car washing station. These sites are equipped with water removal systems making it possible to save approximately 200 litres of water.

• Always choose vehicles offering a low fuel consumption level. Private cars account for 57% of CO₂ emissions from road transport.

• Try ride-sharing and car-sharing, there are many websites set up to help you.