If you just want a quick guide on things you can do to help here’s our top 10, in no particular order:
- Break the car addiction! Use public transport or join a car club or car share scheme. Better yet, ride your bike or use your feet. Don’t automatically use a car, especially for short trips.
- Avoid burning solid fuel, and especially unseasoned wood and ordinary house coal.
- Combine trips to save fuel and reduce exhaust. Parking and walking is easier on the air than driving short distances between shops.
- Don’t idle. Idling is running the vehicle engine, instead of turning it off, when it’s sitting still or parked longer than 10 seconds (for example, when you’re waiting for someone). Idling is not an effective way to warm up a vehicle. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle slowly for the first few miles or so
- Switch to cleaner fuels. Cleaner fuels (alternative fuels) are low-polluting fuels that can be used in motor vehicles instead of petrol or diesel. Examples include ethanol, methanol, natural gas and electricity.
- Slow down and avoid heavy braking when you drive. Look well ahead and anticipate. You’ll use less fuel and thereby produce less pollution.
- Keep your vehicle well maintained with a regular service and an annual emissions check. By inflating your tyres to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure you’ll save up to 10% on fuel consumption.
- Looking for a new vehicle? Go for a smaller, fuel-efficient model with low emissions. Buy for your regular use, rather than getting a larger vehicle you rarely need. You can hire a larger or specialist vehicle when needed.
- Shop local! As well as supporting local businesses, don’t forget internet shopping has greatly increased diesel van traffic, adding to air pollution and congestion.
- Make sure your house is well insulated to reduce fuel consumption.
Somerset Air Quality 