Smarter Travel Choices

The Pearson Heights Travel Plan is not anti-car, however, we do like to encourage more sustainable travel where possible. Did you know the average petrol car in the UK produces an equivalent of 180g of CO₂ per km? Did you also know that, according to Nimblefins (2025) it costs an average £3,357 a year to maintain a private vehicle!

The idea behind smarter travel choices is about thinking differently. How can we reduce the amount of travelling we do, is there an alternative to it? How can that improve our lifestyle?

Studies suggest you are 45% more productive after just 29 minutes outside!

It is likely that by 2035, all sales of new petrol and diesel cars are set to end in order to accelerate toward a more sustainable future? Electric and hybrid vehicles are set to replace them.

Is the future electric?

Learn more about electric vehicles (EVs) with Energy Saving Trust: This is an independent organisation website that is working to address the climate emergency. It has everything you need to know about EVs, demonstrating the benefits and offering tips about EV charging.

The key benefit of driving an electric or hybrid vehicle is that they are often cheaper to run than combustion engines. They can potentially save up to two thirds of petrol or diesel cost. They are cheaper to maintain because of hundreds of fewer moving parts and associated mechanical problems, and they are better for the environment with no exhaust emissions (EV’s don’t even have an exhaust!)

To find EV charging points throughout the UK visit the handy Zap Map website. As of February 2025, there were over 75,675 public charging point connectors in the UK, including rapid chargers.

Lift Sharing:

By sharing your journeys with at least one other person, you could cut your journey costs by 50%. Another benefit to car sharing is that you can meet new people and make new friends, which can be great for your mental health. Sign up for free with Liftshare, the UK’s largest car sharing platform, to find others travelling to the same places as you. It’s free and flexible, only share when it suits you.

Car Clubs:

We understand that perhaps sharing a car with a stranger might not be for everyone, maybe you have an irregular work pattern or can’t find someone to share with. Car Clubs offer a rental service that saves you the hassle of worrying about insuring, fuelling and maintaining your own vehicle! Click here to read more about car clubs.

Eco Driving:

Although driving a car can be the least sustainable way to travel, sometimes we understand it can also be a necessity in some circumstances. Here we have some tips on how to save on fuel, money and pollution when driving:

Maintenance:

♦ Be sure to check your tyre pressure regularly, especially before long journeys as under-inflated tyres will use up more fuel.

♦ Your car will be at its most efficient if it’s being regularly serviced.

Before you set off:

♦ Although handy to have when needed, roof-racks and boxes increase your fuel consumption, take them off if they’re not being used to reduce drag and save on fuel.

♦ Lose any unnecessary baggage, extra weight means extra fuel!

♦ Plan ahead and know where you’re going. Getting lost lengthens journeys and also means using up more fuel.

♦ Combine short trips, cold starts use more fuel so it pays to group your errands together when you can.

♦ Start your engine when you’re ready to set off on your journey, an idle engine wastes fuel and your engine will warm up quicker when you’re moving too.

On the road:

♦ Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.

♦ Stick to the speed limits, the faster you go the greater the fuel consumption.

♦ Cut down on the air-con; it increases fuel consumption at low speeds.

♦ Try to keep your car moving even at slow speeds as stopping then starting again uses more fuel than rolling.

♦ Newer car models (since 2014) have been fitted with gear shift indicators, these encourage you to use the most efficient gear for your speed. Try changing gears at an engine speed of 2,000 rpm for diesel, or 2,500 for petrol.