Eco-Friendly driving tips

Choose a Fuel-Efficient or Electric Vehicle

• Opt for hybrid or electric cars whenever possible. Many French car rental agencies offer eco-friendly vehicles, which can significantly reduce emissions.
• If you’re renting a petrol or diesel vehicle, choose a model with a smaller engine size and better fuel efficiency, which consumes less fuel and emits fewer pollutants.

Drive Smoothly & Efficiently

• Accelerate gently and maintain a steady speed to reduce fuel consumption. Sudden acceleration or braking wastes energy and increases emissions.
• When driving on highways, use cruise control to maintain a constant speed and save fuel.
• Avoid high speeds. Driving at moderate speeds (90-110 km/h) on highways can significantly improve fuel efficiency.

Reduce Idling

• Avoid leaving your engine idling for long periods. If you’re stopping for more than a minute or two (e.g., at a scenic spot), turn off the engine to save fuel and reduce emissions.

Lighten the Load

• Keep your vehicle as light as possible by removing unnecessary luggage. The heavier the car, the more fuel it consumes.
• If you’re not using roof racks or bike carriers, remove them to reduce drag and improve your car’s aerodynamics.

Plan Efficient Routes

• Before setting off, plan your route to avoid heavy traffic and unnecessary detours. Use apps that show real-time traffic updates to avoid congested areas, which cause excessive idling and fuel consumption.
• Choose scenic and efficient routes that allow you to explore multiple destinations without backtracking. France’s secondary roads often offer beautiful views and lighter traffic compared to highways.

Carpool When Possible

• If you’re traveling with others, consider sharing a ride instead of taking multiple vehicles. Carpooling reduces the number of cars on the road and minimizes emissions.
• If you’re open to meeting new people, France has a strong carpooling culture with platforms like BlaBlaCar, where you can share rides with locals and other travelers.

Maintain Your Vehicle

• Ensure that your car is properly maintained. Check tire pressure regularly—under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, making your car less fuel-efficient.
• A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently. Before you pick up a rental car, confirm that it has been serviced and is in optimal condition.

Use Air Conditioning Sparingly

• Using air conditioning can increase fuel consumption, especially in stop-and-go traffic. When possible, open the windows at low speeds or use the car’s ventilation system to stay cool.
• On highways, keep windows closed and use air conditioning moderately, as open windows can increase drag and fuel use at higher speeds.

Combine Short Trips

• Instead of taking multiple short trips, try to combine errands or stops into one longer trip. This reduces the number of times you need to start your car, which can be more fuel-efficient.

Respect Nature

• When parking in natural areas or rural landscapes, ensure you park in designated spaces to avoid damaging vegetation or natural habitats. Never drive off-road unless it’s allowed, as this can harm fragile ecosystems.

By following these eco-friendly driving tips, you’ll help reduce your environmental impact while exploring France at your own pace. Safe and green travels from all of us at France By Locals!