Avoiding driving is one of the ways you can adjust your lifestyle to be more eco-friendly. However, the reality is that not driving is just not a practical option for many people. Unless you live somewhere that's walkable and has good public transport, surviving without a vehicle of some kind is often not possible. However, that doesn't mean that you can't be a more eco-conscious driver who is aware of their fuel consumption and its impact on the environment. Even if you need to drive to get around, you can make more eco-friendly choices, which could also help you to save money.

Drive Less

You might need to drive for many reasons, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you need to drive everywhere. There might be some places that you could easily and safely reach on foot or by bicycle, or perhaps by using public transport. You can also drive less by planning your trips. For example, instead of making several journeys to get a number of errands done, make a plan to do everything in one trip so that you can cut down on your driving time. Reducing the time you're on the road could help you to be a greener driver.

Drive More Efficiently

When you're driving, you can take steps to be more efficient and use less fuel. Driving carefully and being conscious of the choices you make can help you to save fuel. Staying within the speed limit and handling your car with care will allow you to drive more efficiently. You should also avoid overloading your car if you can. Think about how much weight you're adding to it with both passengers and any cargo you want to carry. The heavier your car is, the more fuel it will need to use and the more expensive it will be too.

Get a Hybrid or Electric Car

When it's time to consider your next car, it's definitely a good idea to think about either a hybrid or electric vehicle. Instead of relying on gas or diesel alone, you can benefit from being able to electrically charge your car. Use a site such as Edmunds to look at your options and find a car that's right for your needs. There are many different models you can explore, whether you're looking for a small family car, something to commute with, or a larger SUV for road trips and more.

Share Your Journeys

Another way to be more eco-conscious when driving is to share your journeys with others. Offer to carpool with your colleagues or give your kids' classmates a ride to school. Catching a ride with someone else instead of driving your own car is a good idea too. There are lots of opportunities when you could help to make sure there are fewer cars on the road, which is not only better for the environment but can also help to reduce congestion.

You can be a more eco-conscious driver, even if you're not able to give up your car. Make an effort to be more thoughtful about how you use your car.