Background - October 16, 2008
If you own a car
Travel by public transport when possible and drive efficiently when you need to use a car. Cars become less fuel efficient when driven too fast. Avoiding sharp acceleration and braking also reduces your fuel consumption.
Don't buy a new car just to switch to one with lower emissions. The CO2 emitted in manufacturing a new car outweighs the savings you can gain by driving a more efficient one.
If you are buying a car
Consider carefully if you really need a car. There are now many alternatives including shared ownership of cars.
If you do need a car aim to buy the most fuel efficient car which meets your needs. You can find the CO2 emissions of each car model in the technical specifications, the car manufacturers have to provide you this information. You can compare the carbon emission of cars model by model to find the most efficient model.
Be sure to tell the car salesman about the role your environmental concerns played in your decision.
Make your voice heard
Write to Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, today. Now that the European Parliament's Environment Committee has voted foremissions standards, starting in 2012, car industry lobbyists and the Germangovernment are trying to wreck the proposal.