There are some really simple ways to make sure that your driving is as ‘green’ as possible.  There are now a whole host of options for those buying new cars, or willing to spend lots of money on new green motoring technology.  Whilst these are great if you have the resources, there are still ways to change your driving habits for the good of the environment.

Global warming is caused when the sun’s rays are trapped within the Earth’s atmosphere.  Greenhouse gases – which are, in part, produced by cars and vehicles – strengthen this effect.  The resulting rise in temperatures may lead to extreme weather conditions, melting of ice caps and rising sea levels.  Reducing emissions of your car will help to decrease this problem.

Manufacturers are now building cars which specifically keep emissions to a low, like those which use electricity rather than petrol for power, or hybrid cars which use a combination of both.

However, it is possible to use your existing car in a way which significantly reduces your emissions.  Here are some helpful tips for achieving this:

- Changing your driving style is one of the simplest ways to reduce emissions.  Heavy, jerky and sudden movements put strain on the engine, causing it to increase emissions.  Smooth, flowing driving can take pressure off the engine and reduce emissions.  In particular, if you can see an obstacle ahead such as a traffic light, coming to a gentle stop is preferable to accelerating fast then braking hard.

- Lowering your speed is another great way to reduce emissions.  The higher your speed, the more emissions your car will be making, so travelling slower is a greener (and perhaps calmer) method of driving.  Changing speed lots uses energy too, so anticipating the road ahead in order to set steady speed, or using cruise control are also helpful techniques.

- Remove any excess weight from your car.  If you are driving with unnecessary, heavy items, your car is having to work harder to carry these around everywhere.  Items on the outside of your car, like roof boxes particularly increase fuel consumption by causing aerodynamic drag.  If you only use them occasionally, they are worth removing.

- Switching off internal electric components increases fuel efficiency, too.  Whilst they can be a great luxury, features such as heated seats and air conditioning use a lot of energy.  Switching them off when you don’t need them will improve your green driving.

- Your car should be checked regularly to make sure it is running efficiently.  If you notice any marked increases in fuel consumption, this could be a result of a faulty component or poorly inflated tyres.  A well looked-after car will make sure you are not wasting any energy in driving.

- Finally, and perhaps most importantly, consider whether driving is entirely necessary in the first place.  The greenest car is one which is sitting in the driveway making no emissions at all.  If your journey could be made on foot, by bike, or using public transport, you will be cutting your driving emissions to zero!

So if you feel inspired to do your bit for the environment, but worry that a new energy-efficient car isn’t really on the cards for you at the moment, these tips should help you ‘drive green’ with only some very minor changes to your existing habits. Remember, if you do make any modifications to your car, ensure you keep your insurance company up to date, or search for motor insurance quotes should you need new insurance.