Green Your Ride

Transportation accounts for 28% of our carbon emissions, but there are actions you can take to lower your own transportation footprint.

Walk, bike or take public transportation if and when you can. No carbon emissions, it’s better for your health, it’s cheaper, and it may get you there faster than a car in rush hour traffic. (No bicycle? No problem! BlueBikes offers a bike share program with stations throughout Brookline and metro Boston.)

Switch to an Electric Vehicle. Upgrade your ride and take advantage of tax credits – up to $7,500! – that may be available to offset the purchase cost. (Worried about how you’d charge an EV? Check out Brookline’s public EV charging stations.)

Drive Smarter. When you do need to drive, these steps can help save energy use:

• Drive more slowly. There is at least a 20% loss in fuel economy as speed increases from 55 to 75 mph.
• Combine car trips for shopping and errands.
• Carpool whenever possible.
• Turn off your car’s engine if idling for more than 10 seconds. (Did you know it’s illegal to idle for more than 5 minutes in Massachusetts except in limited circumstances?
• Don’t carry unnecessary heavy items in your car (the heavier your load, the more energy you need to power your car).
• Have your car serviced regularly.
• Inflate your tires to the pressure that is printed on them.
• If you are in the market to buy a new car but can’t afford an electric vehicle, consider a hybrid.

Car Share. Zipcar, Enterprise Car Share and others offer ways to have a car only when you need it.

Flying. If you need to fly, consider purchasing carbon offsets for the miles you will travel.