For many, our driving style comes to us automatically. So you might be surprised to find out how much difference your driving style can make with minimising the impact your car has on the environment as well as reducing your running costs.

If you drive a car that runs on petrol or diesel, driving less is the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint. Transport accounts for 37% of the carbon emissions produced by the average Kiwi household – much higher than our emissions from any other source.

Driving well can cut emission by up to 20%

 If you drive a petrol car, you can reduce your fuel consumption by between 15 and 20% just by improving your driving habits. That means spending 20% less on fuel, which is a huge saving for many households. The average Kiwi household spent $279 a month on fuel in 2022, which is over $3,300 a year. Cut that by 20% and you'll be saving over $50 a month and more than $600 a year.

And by cutting your fuel consumption, you will also reduce your emissions by the same amount, making your petrol or diesel car as environmentally friendly as possible. As an extra bonus, driving well causes less wear and tear on your engine, minimising maintenance costs.

Even if you drive a full battery electric vehicle, you can benefit from developing good driving habits. You will maximise your battery’s range, which will mean you need to charge less frequently. That will save you money, too, and you will extend the lifespan of your battery.

How to drive to reduce your energy consumption

Speed and acceleration burn the most energy. The trick is to drive smoothly, look ahead so you can avoid starting and stopping, and keep a steady speed – within the speed limits.

A few tips to help you reduce fuel use by up to 20%:

• Accelerate and brake smoothly.
• Use cruise control if you have it.
• Avoid idling if you can.
• Remove excess weight from your car.
• Take off roof boxes or roof racks if you’re not using them.
• If you have an automatic ‘stop-start’ system, don’t switch it off – it’s reducing your emissions and your fuel spending.
• Turn off the air-conditioning and open the windows when you’re driving around town on warm days. At higher speeds, you’ll need the windows closed and the air-con going.

Well-maintained cars use less fuel

A well-maintained car will run more efficiently, so ensure your car is up to date with its servicing. Any issues that make the car run less smoothly will also add to your fuel costs, whether it’s clogged air filters, worn-out brake pads, or too little engine oil. Here at AA, we can help you get the most out of your car with regular servicing.

It’s also vital that your tyres are correctly inflated and aligned; if your tyres are underinflated it will increase your fuel use and wear out the tyres more quickly. That means you spend more on fuel, and more on tyres, both of which contribute to higher emissions.

Could you cut down two short trips each week?

Consider simply aggregating your short trips so you’re not driving as often. Your car is most efficient when it’s warmed up, so taking a daily short trip creates higher emissions than taking a journey that’s twice as long, every second day.

The average Kiwi household makes 12 short trips each week, and around a third of all car trips are less than two kilometres – we drive more than a billion short trips each year, according to GenLess. If every household drops just two short trips each week, it would be the equivalent of taking 41,000 cars off our roads.

And if you are looking for a new car, it’s the perfect time to consider a battery electric vehicle. You can read more about buying and owning EVs in the AA Motoring Blog.