Yes, that’s right!
Chicago’s CTA is now running a test hybrid bus on the #8 Halsted line. The new bus gets 7-8 mpg, as compared to the 2-3 mpg for their current diesel buses. CTA officials are working to calculate if the nearly $200,000 more for the hybrid will be off-set over time with fuel savings.
Pay attention to any strange sounds and smells coming from your vehicle. A clogged air filter can increase gas consumption by 10%. With regular maintenance you can extend your car’s life and improve its fuel efficiency.
Gas prices are more expensive today then ever before. By driving sensibly you can save on the amount of fuel your vehicle needs to run, which in turn equals extra money in your pocket.
Avoid aggressive driving, rapid acceleration and hard braking because you are just wasting gas. Quick starts will consume huge amounts of gas because the engine has to work much harder to get the car up to speed.
Also, observing the speed limit can also help with fuel efficiency. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
With summer right around the corner, lots of people like to enjoy the warm weather by going out on a boat. This can be great fun, but you need to protect the waters. One way is to use a funnel when refueling your water vehicles. This will help to avoid spills.
Need to send a package across town to a colleague or business partner? Instead of driving the package yourself or sending it via the mail, why not contact a bicycle courier company for those local deliveries. The bike messenger will pick the package up from you and deliver it to it’s destination quickly, rain or shine. This will not only save you time, but the planet as well, as a bicycle emits no emissions.
Pump up your tires!
You can improve your fuel efficiency by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Plus, properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
Want to go green, but don’t know where to start? Well, every little bit helps so here are the top 10 easy ways to go green ASAP.
10 Ways to Go Green Now!
1- Unplug appliances & battery chargers while not in use
2- Use compact fluorescent light bulbs
3- Ride a bike or take public transportation, if you must drive think about using a car sharing program
4- Use reusable shopping bags at the grocery store
5- Compost your kitchen scraps
6- Conserve water by turning it off while brushing teeth
7- Use natural cleaning products
8- Stop using disposable stuff like diapers, napkins, plates, cups, razors, etc.
9- Recycle things like glass, plastics, newspapers, etc.
10- Eat organic, local or fair trade foods
It’s Friday afternoon of a 3 day weekend and you’re planning a road trip. The only question is…What time do you hit the road?
If you leave right after work, it will be rush hour and you’re bound to face some traffic. The stop and go driving will reduce your fuel efficiency, and make a three hour trip seem like three days. Instead, think about leaving just a few hours later. The traffic will have die down, which will give you smooth sailing to your weekend destination with better fuel efficiency.
There is this new non-profit company committed to economical and environmentally sound transportation choices in Chicago. Their name is I-Go, and they are committed to reduce car ownership rates, lower family transportation costs, reduce urban congestion and improve air quality in all neighborhoods. How does I-Go do it…well, with car sharing. Car sharing reduces the individual and the societal costs of driving, making it an eco-friendly choice for transportation.
They made the whole process really simple, and very green by providing members with access to energy efficient vehicles on an hourly basis, that are reserved online or over the phone beforehand. I-Go’s has all types of vehicles which are located all over the Chicagoland area and are often within a five-minute walk of members homes or work…very convenient.
Not only is I-Go convenient, but they are also very affordable. No more car payments, insurance payments, maintenance, etc. using I-Go can save Chicago residents up to $3,000 per year. There is a one-time membership fee of $75, but after that you pay by the hour, and the hourly rate includes gas, plus insurance.
To use I-Go is a simple 6 step process:
1- Join
Becoming a member takes 5-7 business days.
2- Reserve the car
Reserve a car via the web or over the phone.
3- Pick up the car
Parked in easy, safe and accessible 24-hr reserved parking spots. No paperwork & no lines.
4- Drive the car
You use a Smartcard to unlock the door & the keys are located in the glove compartment. You use your keys to lock the car during your trip.
5- Return the car
Return the car to the reserved parking spot. Keys go back into the glove compartment and you lock the door with your Smartcard.
6- Billing
Onboard computers tally the number of hours and miles that you drive on each trip.
