How to Reduce Hybrid Car Emissions

Although hybrid car emissions are certainly less than the carbon based emissions produced by standard gas engine powered vehicles, the gas engine component of the hybrid vehicle does create some carbon emissions. Although hybrid vehicles are certainly a great step forward in reducing carbon-based emissions, there is certainly room for movement. So, here is a handy how-to guide on how to help you further reduce carbon-based emissions from your hybrid car.

Step 1 - Avoid Air Conditioner Usage

When driving a hybrid vehicle, you should avoid using the air conditioner as much as possible. Whenever you use the air conditioner in your vehicle, your hybrid vehicle’s gas engine component works much harder and consumes higher amounts of gasoline. In fact, even when stopped at a red light or traveling at very low speeds, the electric engine component of your hybrid vehicle may not keep the air conditioner running.

In many hybrid vehicles, turning on the air conditioner simply adds too much strain to the electrical component engine component of your vehicle and the gas engine needs to take over. Reducing the amount of time that your gas engine actually powers your hybrid vehicle will result in far lower levels of carbon-based emissions being released into the atmosphere.

Step 2 - Make Sure Your Hybrid is Maintained Properly

Just as with conventional gas powered engine vehicles, making sure that your hybrid car is properly maintained will help improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Make sure that your car's tires are properly inflated, and that you frequently perform preventative maintenance such as changing air filters and your car's engine oil. Anything that you can do to help your hybrid car's gas engine component operate more efficiently and get better fuel economy will result in better gas mileage which will result in fewer emissions and less damage to our atmosphere and environment.

Step 3 - Take a Day Off and Car Pool

One of the absolute best ways to reduce carbon-based emissions from your hybrid vehicle is to simply not drive it. Consider starting a carpool and asking friends and colleagues to take turns driving while allowing three or four carpool members to leave their vehicles at home. Better still, if you have friends that also have hybrid vehicles, you can take turns driving and considerably decrease the amount of missions that are released into our atmosphere.

Step 4 - Take Public Transportation

If a carpool is out of the question, you should consider taking public transportation one or two days a week when commuting back and forth to work. Taking public transportation is one of the most effective ways for everyone to help prevent carbon-based emissions - even hybrid car owners. Taking the bus or subway will almost always be cheaper than driving your vehicle back and forth to work, and over time will result in considerable savings in fuel and maintenance costs for your hybrid vehicle. Taking the bus to work two days a week will result in nearly 4 months (every year) less driving time and wear and tear on your hybrid vehicle.