Photo by Adil Sattarov on Unsplash
Despite many people wanting to own electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce their CO2 emissions, the initial upfront cost can be substantial. Not everyone is in a financial position to purchase a new car, despite it being better for the environment and their wallet.
When EV ownership is not yet a possibility, it’s only natural to question whether there are other ways to reduce our vehicle emissions to place less of a burden on the environment. It can be worth taking the following actions:
Perform an Emissions Test
Your current gas-powered vehicle may not be a poster child for environmentally friendly vehicles, but there’s a chance it could be less harmful to the environment than it currently is.
Visit an emissions test provider, such as Bountiful Emissions, so your vehicle can undergo a diagnostic procedure. An emissions test measures pollutants emitted by cars, such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and hydrocarbons, which contribute to air pollution.
If your vehicle’s emissions levels exceed the accepted range, you’ll receive recommendations for repairs to reduce them, which may include remedying faulty oxygen sensors, problems with the catalytic converter, a dirty air filter, or worn spark plugs.
Reduce Your Driving
One of the best ways to reduce your vehicle emissions without buying an EV is by driving less. The less you drive, the fewer emissions you produce. The good news is that driving less doesn’t mean you have to stay at home and not go anywhere!
Take advantage of the public transport available in your area, invest in an E-bike for everyday commuting, and consider carpooling with people you know who are headed in the same direction as you. Essentially, the goal is to find alternative ways to get to where you need to go. While it might seem inconvenient at first, you may be surprised by how quickly you become less reliant on your own vehicle. If you still need to drive your car, combine trips. Rather than venturing out multiple times, combine your errands into as few trips as possible.
Change Your Driving Habits
Believe it or not, a change in how you drive may reduce your emissions. Practice smooth acceleration, minimize unnecessary braking, and maintain a steady speed to improve fuel efficiency. If you need to stay in one place for a long time, such as in road works or a loading zone, turn your engine off, rather than letting it idle. If you do a lot of highway driving, you can use cruise control to maintain a steady speed and reduce fuel consumption.
Eco-Driving Technology
Technology can support better driving habits. Smartphone apps like Fuelly or GasBuddy help you track mileage, fuel efficiency, and routes. Small plug-in devices that connect to your car’s OBD-II port (such as Automatic Pro or ELD-based trackers) provide real-time feedback on driving style, showing where you waste fuel through harsh braking or rapid acceleration.
Navigation tools also play a role. Choosing routes with less congestion or fewer stops reduces idling and emissions. Google Maps and Waze already suggest eco-routes in many areas, saving fuel and emissions on everyday trips.
Maintain Your Vehicle
You might not be able to afford an electric vehicle just yet, but small and inexpensive maintenance tasks on your current gas-powered vehicle can help reduce emissions. For example, you can improve fuel efficiency and reduce wear by keeping your tires properly inflated at all times.
Look for the tire information placard inside the driver’s door jamb to find out the recommended PSI. The general range for most passenger vehicles is 30 to 35 PSI. To improve engine performance, change the oil and filters at the recommended intervals and inspect critical components, such as oxygen sensors and spark plugs.
The Impact of Fuel Choice
While maintenance goes a long way, your choice of fuel also plays a role in emissions. Some regions offer ethanol blends (like E10 or E85), biodiesel, or renewable diesel. These fuels can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional gasoline or diesel. For example, biodiesel blends can lower carbon dioxide emissions by up to 74% over their lifecycle, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
However, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is compatible before making a switch. Not every car is designed to run on higher ethanol blends or biodiesel. Check your owner’s manual or ask your mechanic before filling up.
Buy a More Efficient Vehicle
Your budget may not yet stretch to a quality EV, but it may just stretch to a more efficient vehicle than the one you already own. If you do a lot of driving, it makes sense to research the most fuel-efficient cars on the market to reduce your emissions. Explore local car lots and ask about trade-in prices. You may be surprised by how straightforward the upgrade process can be.
Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid as a Middle Step
If you’re not ready for a full EV, hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) can be an excellent middle ground. Traditional hybrids like the Toyota Prius or Honda Accord Hybrid improve fuel efficiency by 20–35% compared to similar gas-only models. PHEVs, such as the Toyota RAV4 Prime or Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, can run short daily commutes on electricity alone while still offering a gas engine for longer trips.
This makes them practical for people who want lower emissions without worrying about charging infrastructure for long drives. Even upgrading to a used hybrid can cut your emissions and fuel costs significantly.
Travel Light
Our vehicles can end up ‘catch-alls’ for personal items and even trash. It may not seem like a big deal, but even small items all add up. For every additional 100 pounds of weight in your car, your fuel economy reduces by around two percent.
Empty the trunk or cabin and remove roof racks and boxes when they’re not in use. These small changes can contribute to improved fuel economy, increased savings, and a reduced environmental impact.
Lifecycle Perspective
Buying a new car, even if it’s more efficient, comes with hidden environmental costs from manufacturing, shipping, and materials. In fact, building a new car can produce as much as 20%–30% of its total lifetime emissions before it’s even driven.
That means keeping your current vehicle running efficiently for as long as possible can sometimes be greener than rushing to replace it. Proper maintenance and mindful driving extend vehicle lifespan, reduce the carbon embedded in manufacturing, and delay waste entering the scrap stream.
Policy, Incentives & Community Efforts
Individual action matters, but community-level initiatives multiply the impact. Many states and cities offer incentives for eco-friendly transportation, such as rebates on hybrid purchases, subsidies for public transit, or tax breaks for installing bike racks at businesses.
Some regions also allow carpool or hybrid vehicles to use HOV lanes, encouraging ride-sharing and reduced congestion. Participating in local “car-free days,” joining workplace carpool groups, or supporting investments in public transport helps make cleaner travel an option for everyone.
Numbers That Matter (CO₂ and Cost Savings)
| Vehicle Type | Avg. Annual CO₂ Emissions* | Fuel Cost (US Avg.) | Notes |
| Gas Sedan | ~4.6 metric tons | ~$2,000 | Based on 25 MPG, 12,000 miles/year |
| SUV | ~6.0 metric tons | ~$2,800 | Based on 18 MPG |
| Hybrid | ~2.9 metric tons | ~$1,200 | Based on 50 MPG |
| EV | ~0–2 metric tons (depends on grid) | ~$500 (charging) | Emissions vary by electricity mix |
*EPA average estimates
Even small efficiency gains matter. A 5% improvement in MPG on a standard sedan saves about 230 pounds of CO₂ and $100 annually.
You don’t have to buy an electric vehicle to reduce your emissions. While an EV can have the most significant impact, you can lower the emissions of your gas-powered vehicle with a few small and inexpensive changes.
FAQ
Is it better to repair my old car or buy a used hybrid?
It depends on repair costs and fuel efficiency. If repairs are minor and the car still performs well, keeping it can be greener due to the embedded carbon of producing a new vehicle.
Does premium fuel reduce emissions?
For most cars, no. Using premium fuel in an engine not designed for it does not lower emissions or improve efficiency.
Are EVs always greener, considering battery production?
Yes, over their lifetime. While EV batteries require energy-intensive mining and manufacturing, most studies show EVs offset these emissions within 1–2 years of driving.
