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Greener driving
Individuals commuting by car is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in Manitoba. Almost one-third of transport emissions come from cars, trucks and motorbikes. (1) Each one of us can do our part to reduce the pollutants that are causing climate change.
Have to drive? You can do your bit in the following ways:
- Drive less - Do you need to drive to the other end of town to get that snack right now? Is there some place closer? Could it wait until you shop for next week's groceries? Organize your needs and plan your trips so that you can cover more of your requirements in one trip.
- Carpool or take the bus - One busload of passengers takes 40 cars off the road during rush hour, saves 70,000 litres of fuel and avoids over 175 tonnes of emissions a year.
- Travel at moderate, steady speeds - Posted speed limits are not just for safety. They also represent optimal rates of travel that maximize vehicle efficiency and reduce idling.
- Don't idle - Check out our section on Idling
- Avoid drive-through windows!
- Don't top up - Forget putting precisely $30.00 of fuel in your tank. Topping up releases emissions directly from your tank and the nozzle to the atmosphere. Make sure the gas cap fits properly.
- Keep your vehicle in good running condition - A poorly maintained vehicle burns more fuel (and therefore releases more emissions) per km than a well-tuned one. Keep tires properly inflated, change oil and filters regularly, and monitor fuel economy. An increase in emissions also means a loss of your money.
