The most time-consuming part of taking your car for a spin might be finding a parking place. Americans spend an average of 17 hours a year (as of 2017) searching for parking on streets, in lots or garages. Though, as you can imagine, finding a parking spot is even more problematic in major U.S. cities. Drivers in the U.K. spend an average of 44 hours a year searching for parking. This search time can take a toll on your schedule, fuel economy and the environment. The good news is, there are a few ways to save gas and lower your carbon footprint while driving – without investing in the latest hybrid.
Opting for public transportation is a great eco-friendly travel alternative, but that’s not always an option for longer expeditions. If you’re planning a trip with friends, carpooling could help save time and fuel, while ridding the highways of one or two less cars. Keep your car well-maintained to perform at the best of its abilities. If using your trunk for storage, emptying unnecessary baggage can help keep your car from working too hard.
Instead of blasting the air conditioning, open the windows to circulate the air – but be cautious if you’re traveling at high speeds, as it can affect the aerodynamics. On the other hand, the best way to warm up a car is to drive it gently at first rather than cranking up the heater. As tempting as it may be to speed on the highway, sticking to the speed limit can decrease carbon emissions and increase mileage.
When searching for parking, our first impulse is to find a spot as close to the destination as possible. However, parking at the first available spot and walking to your destination could offer physical benefits and cut your vehicle’s emissions. An ideal parking spot is one that is close enough to your destination to minimize the need to drive, but far enough away to provide a moderate walk. This way, you can enjoy the physical benefits of walking while also reducing your vehicle’s emissions. To find a parking spot that meets these criteria, you can use an app such as KERB.works (to learn more, see kerb works parking review). Such apps can help you find the closest, most affordable parking spot near your destination.
In addition, turning your car off and on too much also contributes to unnecessary carbon emissions and vehicle wear. For example, if you linger in a parking spot, even if momentarily, shut off the engine to conserve fuel.
On a similar note, companies these days have been investing in custom hang tags to have better parking management. It seems they are taking an environmentally friendly step as it reduces carbon emissions from visitors’ vehicles since they won’t have to spend time looking for parking.
It’s no secret that transportation emissions are one of the largest contributors to global warming gases. Check out our accompanying parking tips that will help save you time, energy and reduce your carbon footprint.
Author bio: Ian Todd is Director of Automated Parking Systems for Westfalia, a York, Pennsylvania-based manufacturer. Todd has more than 15 years of experience in automated parking systems in both Europe and the Americas, where he has held roles in product development, project management, marketing, and business development and sales.