Eco-friendly travel with a shared car: 7 tips

Traveling with a Greenwheels? Not everyone will think of a car first when it comes to sustainable or eco-friendly travel. But not every destination is easily reached by means of public transport and with a shared car you are definitely more sustainable than with a private car. With a few adjustments you can quickly make your car holiday even 'greener'. Here are our sustainable travel tips:

1 - Choose an electric or fuel-efficient petrol car

At Greenwheels, we've consciously opted for economical cars from the Volkswagen group, which are easy to operate for many people. Our electric cars do not emit any CO₂ and our petrol cars are compact and therefor economical. For example, the Up! emits 108g CO₂ per km (comparison Renault Clio: 143 g/km) and the Golf Variant station wagon 119 g/km (comparison Peugeot 306: 181 g/km). In general, the newer the car, the more economical it is.

2 - Plan your route in advance

It is useful to plan your route in advance. Not only so that you know how to get to your destination (very practical!), but also because you can see exactly which Greenwheels shared car is available during your holiday period. In addition, you can also determine which car type (compact, electric, station wagon) best suits your travel plans. See also tip 4.

3 - Travel with less

Minimalist travel is… well, a challenge! But a heavier car consumes more fuel. Try to keep your luggage limited, think carefully about what you need. Tip: verify what's already present at your holiday address (for example towels, a high chair) so that you can leave unnecessary things at home.

4 - Avoid busy roads

If possible, avoid congested areas, congested roads, rush hours, and "black Saturdays." This not only saves time (and annoyance!), but also fuel. When stopping-accelerating-stopping, the car consumes a lot more fuel. Check the ANWB traffic calendar and choose the option 'Preference for fuel-efficient route' in your Google Maps navigation under 'route options'.

• Fun fact: did you know that you can change the location pointer in Google Maps to a (red) Greenwheels? Open the Google Maps app on your device, start navigation, tap the blue arrow and change it to the red car (1st choice).

5 - Drive slowly and steadily

Especially at longer distances, a constant speed can make a big difference to your fuel consumption. This also saves you CO₂ emissions and other pollutants. Defensive driving (don't accelerate hard, brake gently) also helps - and is also safer.

6 - Longer distance? Change seats

Driving safely is literally in your own hands. When we're tired, we pay less attention to the odometer and your surroundings. Therefore, change drivers regularly and drive for a maximum of two hours without a break. Did you know that you can easily add an extra driver to your Greenwheels account?

7 - Choose CO₂ compensation

Are you traveling with a petrol car? At the end of your trip with Greenwheels we show you the amoubnt of kilometers you have driven (see: on-board computer or your invoice). Various organisations (such as the Fair Climate Fund) allow you to compensate for the CO₂ emissions of your holiday trip, for example by investing in sustainable energy projects, improving the quality of life for people in climate-vulnerable areas or by planting trees.

Conclusion

Is it all about the journey... or the destination? These are our tips for a sustainable holiday with a shared car. Driving more sustainably, carefully planning your route and making 'green' choices are important parts of an eco-friendly car holiday. This way you can enjoy your trip as well as contribute to a better world. Are you going on holiday by car soon? Don't forget about these tips!