How to reduce pollution from cars and stay green on the road

10,523 miles—that’s the reported average number of miles folks in the U.S. drove in 2020, according to the

Federal Highway Administration. It turns out those miles are influencing the number of emissions that affect our environment and atmosphere. Green driving or reducing pollution from your car means you are cutting down the amount of gas it takes to get from Point A to Point B. So let’s dive into how you can turn your daily driving habits into more eco-friendly mileage.

The daily commute gone green

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that transportation emissions account for nearly 29 percent (about one-third) of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. And unfortunately, those numbers affect our daily life in one way or another. But there’s some good news—it’s never too late to take the first step in eco-friendly driving. We can cut our collective carbon footprint during our daily commute in three ways with some tips from the EPA. 

1. Drive less often

When you drive less, your carbon footprint tends to be smaller. Less mileage on the odometer equals fewer emissions. Also, saving some miles by driving less can be a great way to save money at the pump. 

If you live in a big city with public transportation options, consider taking public transit when it’s possible. This could include railways, bus systems or bike rental programs.

Are you close to local grocery stores or work? Walk or bike when you can. It can be a good opportunity for you to get out of the house, spend time outside and get some exercise. Other ways to drive less often can include: carpooling with friends, working from home and making the most of your car rides by planning ahead. 

2. Choose fuel efficient vehicles

If you’re in the market for a new car, look for a fuel-efficient ride. Not only can these types of vehicles help the environment, but they can also potentially save you some pennies at the pump. The EPA gives some helpful insight into vehicle options that are more efficient and less polluting:

• Electric vehicles

• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

• Cleaner burning gasoline vehicles

If buying a car isn’t an option, consider carpooling with a friend who does have a fuel-efficient vehicle. Another option is to see if your public transportation or local ride-sharing services implement green driving practices.

3. Drive more mindfully

What do we mean by driving more wisely? Well, the way we drive can impact reducing emissions from our vehicles. So driving more efficiently and maintaining your car are two good starting points for you to start implementing to become greener on the road.

First, driving efficiently—how can you do it? The EPA has some suggestions for us. Removing excessive weight in your vehicle, avoiding excessive idling, using cruise control, observing the speed limit and driving more sensibly are opportunities for you to implement on the road today that contribute to eco-friendly driving.

When you drive with the HiRoad app, the tech in your smartphone measures your driving habits in four ways through our HiRoad Driving Scores: Distraction Fee, Smooth Driving, Driving Patterns and Safe Speeds. 

When you’re observing the speed limit, driving sensibly and lowering how much you drive, you’re not only helping reduce your carbon footprint; you’re improving your driving scores in the app. Better scores equal better savings on your monthly car insurance bill (up to 50 percent). 

As we all dive into the new year, let’s start small when it comes to staying eco-friendly behind the wheel. Those small steps make a difference. So whether you’re working on being less idle or shopping around for a new, fuel-efficient ride—you’re taking the high road in 2022. 

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with HiRoad®. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. HiRoad is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. HiRoad makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.