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Air pollution - What can you do?

Road vehicles are the major source of pollutants in urban areas. They produce over 50 percent of the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and over 75 percent of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions in the UK.

Do you need to use your car?

Do you really need to make the journey?
In outer London Boroughs the private car dominates road traffic, of the total number of vehicles on the road around 85% are cars.
Could walking or cycling be an alternative to a car journey?
Not only are these options non-polluting but better for your health.
Not only are these options non-polluting but better for your health.
Could you use public transport?
Within West London, two thirds of employees commute to work by car, while the percentage is only 40% for London as a whole. Only one fifth of employees commencing their journeys in West London use public transport, this compares to one third in London as a whole.
Would your journey add to already high levels of pollution?
Air pollution levels can vary greatly from day to day. Prevailing weather conditions have a pronounced effect of local pollution levels. In summer, still and sunny weather can increase pollution levels, also in winter, cold, still, foggy weather encourages high pollution levels from vehicles especially in urban areas.

If your journey is necessary, how can you reduce your vehicle emissions?

The way you drive your car can make a difference.

Basic economic driving skills could save you around 30% in fuel costs.

Aggressive driving causes more pollution.
Accelerate and brake smoothly even in heavily congested traffic.
The higher your speed the more fuel you use, so keep to the speed limits.

Did you know that you could use up to 25% less fuel if you travel at 50 mph than at 70 mph?

Start your engine only when you are ready to move off. If stopping for any long period of time, turn off your engine. An engine left idling is wasting your fuel.
Using air vents not your air conditioning can save up to 20% fuel.
A regularly serviced vehicle helps keep the engine running efficiently.
Tyres that are not at the correct pressure will increase your fuel consumption and lead to greater emissions.
Any unnecessary weight in your vehicle will increase the amount of fuel you will use. Regularly check the contents of your boot and don’t carry excess weight.

Cleaner Cars

When buying a new car consider fuel efficiency, the less fuel used the less the emissions. Does the car have a catalytic converter (CAT)? Older cars without a CAT pollute ten times more than newer cars.

Up to sixty miles on a gallon of petrol!

Many manufacturers sell petrol/electric hybrids that can achieve high distance to fuel ratios. Existing vehicles can be converted to run on cleaner fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).