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Cars - Fuel efficient driving, lift-sharing, car clubs and reducing your car dependence

Fuel-efficient Driving

Not owning a car (or a second car you rarely use) will immediately cut your carbon footprint by approx. 3 tonnes. But we live in a car dependent society, where giving up a car completely is not always easy or desirable. So it is essential to know how negative impacts of cars on society and the environment can be minimised, whilst maintaining the benefits of flexibility.

The Energy Saving Trust have a large amount of information on green driving / travel Opens in a new window including smarter driving habits Opens in a new window which can save up to 15% of your running costs as well as cutting carbon emissions - you can use their "MPG calculator" to learn more fuel efficient driving techniques online - how to use the car less, information on alternative fuels and buying a greener more fuel-efficient car. There are also green car comparison websites such as Next Green Car Opens in a new window and the Green Car Guide Opens in a new window so if you're looking to buy a car you can choose the cheapest, greenest one to run.

 

Lift Sharing

This service is not delivered by Hambleton District Council, it is provided by Liftshare Opens in a new window, the largest car-share network in the UK and a national social enterprise - mission-driven rather than profit-driven - so it's free to join.

Use Liftshare's database to find a car-share partner who's travelling your way, and you could:

• save hundreds of pounds a year on fuel and other car running costs
• cut your carbon footprint
• reduce your stress
• and make your journeys more enjoyable
• help reduce pollution and traffic congestion in Hambleton

 

Car Clubs

Car Clubs are also becoming more popular - whilst there are currently none in Hambleton, many towns such as York, Leeds, and even Hebden Bridge have them. These are cars located in convenient spots which you simply rent by the hour when you need it (on payment of an annual membership fee). Many people find it cheaper and more convenient to take public transport to their destination then use one of these to get around while they're there, as the hourly rental rate (from £5/hr) includes fuel, insurance, maintenance and all the other running costs which add up. Use the national Car Clubs database Opens in a new window and website run by the organisation Carplus to find out where the nearest ones are and more about how they work, and consider using these to get about when you travel about in cities nationwide, so you can let the train take the strain to get there.

 

Alternative Transport

It seems almost too obvious, but the best way to cut fuel use and CO₂ emissions from driving is simple: drive less. But that's usually easier said than done. Learn when it makes sense to keep the car at home: on the Energy Saving Trust's alternative transport pages Opens in a new window. Use the Direct.gov journey planner Opens in a new window to plan your journey - giving fully integrated timetables with different modes of travel, and comparing car and public transport journey times, and look at the council's travel planning and public transport pages.

Around half of all car journeys in the UK are for less than five miles, which are the least efficient for a car - a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel as one that has warmed up, and some catalytic converters take five miles to become effective. (It's still better to drive off from cold than to leave a car running "to warm up", as that fuel is then completely wasted.) So for short journeys in particular, alternatives such as walking, cycling or public transport are more environmentally friendly. And think about the health (and cost) benefits of walking or cycling, where it makes sense. Have a look at the council's walking and cycling pages, and Sustrans' new mapping service Opens in a new window for public and self-powered transport.

Cars may appear convenient but there are many "hidden" costs (buying or leasing it and interest/fees, depreciation, insurance, fuel, servicing / maintencance and MOT costs, tax disc, residents parking permits in some areas, other parking costs and tolls), plus inconvenience and stress like traffic jams and time spent trying to find somewhere to park. When everything is taken into account, driving is often more expensive than other forms of transport - especially as fuel costs stay high and are likely to rise further as demand for oil becomes greater than can be supplied. You also need to be concentrating on the road at all times, whereas you could be doing something more useful or interesting as a passenger on a train, bus or shared car... or just relaxing / sleeping!

 

Community Car Scheme

If you are unable to access public or private transport due to disability, age or where you live, then the Hambleton & Richmondshire Community Car Scheme may be able to help. Please contact Kevin Holt at the Northallerton & District Voluntary Services Association on kevin.holt@ndvsa.co.uk or 01609 761206.

They are always looking for more volunteer drivers (expenses paid) so if you have some spare time, a car, and would like to help then please do make contact.