for I have sinned. One week ago today I passed my driving test! To say I am happy would be a major understatement.
Do I feel guilty? Just a bit. One more car on the road, less walking and less public transport use is just not good for the environment. But I have put it off for 34 years so I feel I have paid my dues and I was becoming increasingly annoyed at the un-reliability of public transport and the cost. If the government really want us to see public transport as the easier and cheaper option they have a lot of work to do on the transport infrastructure of this country.
So you might be thinking I will be getting a nice electric car or maybe a hybrid, I wish. Unfortunately my budget only stretches to a ten year old one litre Suzuki Alto with £20 per year tax. It certainly isn’t a gas guzzler and was classed as one of the more emission friendly cars at the time it was made. But by modern and my increasingly ecolass standards it is not the most eco friendly option.
I did have a look to see what was available and I found some smart forfour Cars close to my budget which, with some basic research seemed the only eco-ish option I have at the moment. But the only one actually available was just not suitable in the end.
Why a smart car I hear you cry? I know many people just don’t like them, I personally think the fortwo ones are cute but I need a five door to get my daughter in and out of the back easily and we are a family of three, although seeing my six foot two inch husband squeezing in the passenger seat of my Alto is amusing. The smart forfour is more practical but the older ones close to my budget are just ugly.
Like I said doing some very basic research I was pleased to find out a bit more about the eco benefits of a smart car. Most of my information came from an article written on treehugger.com, from 2011. Now I used an old article so I knew that the information applied to their older models. You can get plenty of information on the new models from the smart website, including their electric cars.
What I love is that smart are thinking about the materials and methods used in construction, as well as the end of the cars life. They are not just thinking fuel consumption. Two main points for me is that 85% of the car can be recycled and the paint is sprayed without solvent.
Once I have been driving a while (and saved up), I am really hoping my options become a lot more eco. If any car dealers would like me to test their brand spanking new eco vehicles I would be more than happy to do a review, just let me know (shy bairns and all that).
One thing I can control is my driving. It is important to try and drive in an eco friendly manner, the main suggestions below all reduce fuel consumption:
- accelerate gently
- break slowly
- higher gears are better for cruising
- don’t get weighed down, clear out the car
- plan your journey so you don’t get lost
But as I have said in a previous blog get walking! You do not need the car for every journey, get some fresh air, I shouldn’t need to preach the benefits of out doors exercise but it is good for mind and body. I am more than aware that the already over weight me is really going to need to keep this at the forefront of my mind, as prior to driving I averaged ten thousand steps a day and it was the only regular exercise I got, but driving does now allow me more time to complete dedicated exercise.
Now another way I am hoping to counter act some of my eco guilt, is to make worth while journeys. Driving means I can access shops easier that I know sell eco products or I can visit some of the vegan cafes popping up all around Newcastle. I also want to attend some local beach cleanups and with less travel time I have been able to volunteer to help with reading at my daughter’s school.
Looking at my usual criteria deciding to drive was easy, it is way more convenient, the cost is around £40 per month more but worth it, I will try to make it as eco as possible and hey I might be able to get a dog, now I can get home so much earlier (blatantly my main goal all along).
Please leave me some comments on driving! Especially if you have an electric or hybrid car, I would love to know the pros and cons from some one who owns one.
Eco Lass 