Didja know that about one-third of the nation’s pollution comes from vehicles on the roads?  

Want to be both planet-friendly green… as well as wallet-friendly green? Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a more and more popular choice among motorists. But you can also adjust the way you drive a non-EV to improve your energy score and help protect the environment.  

Make it Earth Day every day. 

Curb your aggression on the roads. Ease up on the gas and your brakes. You’ll not only help your wallet (less fuel use = less fuel purchase, while not overusing your braking system will help lower the chances of needing to repair them), but you’ll also reduce your car’s GHG emissions. By eliminating speeding and rapid acceleration, you can lower your fuel usage by about 15% - 30% on the highway.  

Extra bonus: Driving safely can also reduce your insurance rates. 

Even more critical bonus: Driving safely keeps both yourself — and everyone else on the roads — safer. In 2022, there were about 46,000 fatalities on the roads; don’t add to this statistic. 

Leave the need for speed to the movies. Once you reach 50 miles an hour, fuel economy rapidly decreases. Every additional 5 mph can add up to about an extra %.18 a gallon.   And again, the faster you drive… the more likely you are to get into a collision. 

To stick with the Top Gun references a moment, stay away from super speeds, but you can take a page out of Maverick’s book and aim for his alter-ego’s “Cruise Control.” 

Just (obviously) make sure the conditions in weather and traffic make it safe to do so. But if they are, it can help you save gas and maintain the correct speed limit. 

Be a total #BudgetBoss and save some cash when filling up with gas. Go early for the best prices, don’t top off your tank, and screw the fuel cap firmly into place to reduce wasteful vapor emissions.  

PRO TIP: Read 9 Surprising Hacks to Save Money at the Gas Station for more essential gas-saving tips.

Fuel-efficient tires feature low rolling resistance, thus requiring less energy (i.e., fuel) to travel.  

Less fuel = less money spent = less pollution for the environment.   

You don’t need to go full blast with the speedometer, and you don’t need to slam on the A/C either. Minimize your A/C needs with tinted windows and check your filters for optimal usage.  

PRO TIP: Read Car Air Conditioning: Maximize Your Cool Factor to discover more essential tips.

Of course, electric vehicles and hybrids are very eco-friendly — but even if you’re not in the market for an EV or hybrid, you can still opt to purchase vehicles that get at least 30 miles per gallon. 

Rethink your commute and level up your carpooling game — whether that’s taking the kids to school, riding to the office, or even running errands. 

When you carpool with a pal, you’re cutting at least half (or perhaps a third or more) of your collective carbon emission. And as an extra bonus, you’re getting more facetime with your buddies. That’s a win-win.    

Reconsider your cleaning products as well. Switching to waterless car washes can save anywhere from 80-140 gallons of water per wash. Use waterless sprays to clean your vehicle and you can use just 4-6 ounces. 

As always, empowered drivers are safer drivers, more thoughtful drivers, and more engaged drivers. Check out more helpful tips, including:    

• Time to Replace Your Windshield Wipers 

• 5 Ways to Avoid Distracted Driving 

• Dating 101: How Can Your Car Drive Up Attraction? 

• 6 Ways to Defend Yourself From Drunk Drivers 

 What are you waiting for? Join the ride and get a quote today and see how techno-driven coverage can lower your premiums.