Road transport remains one of the largest dirty air contributors in the UK, accounting for approximately half of NO2 and PM10 emissions in Camden.
Reducing your vehicle journeys and choosing air-friendly modes of travel is a crucial first step to improving the quality of air in your neighbourhood and beyond. Here’s how to do it:
Set Reduction Goals
Look at the vehicle journeys your household takes each week and ask yourself the following:
- What can be eliminated or replaced with walking, cycling or taking public transportation?
- Are errands being condensed into one or two weekly trips, or is a visit to the shops done on an ad hoc basis?
- Do you walk or cycle to destinations that are only a short distance away or is driving your go-to means of transportation?
The heaviest car emissions occur during the first two miles that a car is driven, so reducing all unnecessary journeys is a great place to start in limiting your negative impact.
Travel Efficient & Electric
As cleaner cars make for cleaner air, opting for an efficient, low-emission vehicle will dramatically reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Certain low-emission vehicles are also eligible for a plug-in grant, which can take up to £3,000 off the total cost at your dealership or manufacturer.
Tend to use your vehicle for short, more local journeys? Purchasing a zero-emission electric car may be a more expensive up-front option but has a host of benefits, both environmental and financial. With long-term savings on fuel and repairs, free parking, the freedom to charge at any point throughout the UK and free travel in London’s low emission zones, the perks to purchasing an electric vehicle go beyond doing your environmental part.
There are a host of resources online to help you in making an environmentally-friendly decision that is right for your budget and your lifestyle. A great place to start is this hybrid and electric vehicle buying guide by Consumer Reports.