Motoring and transport

Ange alt-text här.

  • Accelerate quickly up to the speed you intend to keep. Change up early and run on the highest possible gear. You can also save energy by missing out a gear, e.g. by changing directly from third gear to fifth.
  • Drive at a constant accelerator pedal setting and plan your driving, i.e. take your foot off  the accelerator pedal in good time before turning or stopping. You will save energy by using the engine to slow down instead of using the brakes.
  • Stay within the speed limits. If you drive at 110 km/h instead of 90, your fuel consumption will increase by 10 – 20 percent.
  • Avoid running the engine at idling speed. Stop the engine when the car is stationary.
  • Use an engine heater. Have it switched on for 1.5 hours if the outdoor temperature is lower than -15 degrees C, for 1 hour if it is between -15 and 0 degrees C, and for 30 minutes if it is between 0 and +10 degrees C. If you run the engine heater for longer, you will be using an unnecessary amount of electricity. Use a timer.
  • Keep the tyres at the right pressure. If the tyre pressure is too low, the car will use more fuel and the tyre wear will be heavier.
  • Are you planning to buy a new car? Choose an energy-efficient car to save money and the environment.
  • Leave the car at home and take the bus or train instead. A car that travels between Stockholm and Gothenburg emits an average of 44.5 kilos of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. A whole train with several hundred passengers emits 0.4 kilos of carbon dioxide. An aircraft emits 6000 kilos of carbon dioxide when flying between Stockholm and Gothenburg.
  • Do you intend to drive only a short distance? Walk or cycle instead. A car emits more harmful substances during the first few kilometres, since the catalytic converter that treats the exhaust gases will not have had time to warm up.
  • Try sharing the car as often as possible. You and a work colleague could perhaps travel to work in the same car.
  • Plan how you use the car. You could do your food shopping on your way home from work, for instance.
  • Work from home, if you can.
  • Don't leave heavy things in the boot. A heavier car uses more fuel.
  • If you leave the roof box on the car, your fuel consumption will rise by 1 l/100 km.
Last changed: 2011-04-07 print Print tips Tell a friend
Swedish Energy Agency +46 16 544 20 00
Share:
The Swedish Energy Agency works for a safe, environmentally sound and efficient energy system.
Visit: Kungsgatan 43
P.O. Box 310
SE-631 04 Eskilstuna
Invoices: Swedish Energy Agency
FE 8 833 26 Strömsund
Phone: +46 16 544 20 00
Fax: +46 16 544 20 99
Organisationnumber: 202100-5000