Find out what transport measures you can take to help reduce carbon emissions
Walking and cycling
Roughly 18% of UK road carbon comes from journeys between 0-5 miles. If you often travel between 0 and 5 miles by car, walking and cycling are good alternative options for these short journeys. For example, choose to walk your kids to school or encourage them to cycle instead of giving them a lift.
If you live within 5 miles or so from your work, then try walking or cycling to get to work. Even if initially you only do so a few days a week, ultimately these small actions add up.
Walking and cycling will also improve your general health, in addition to reducing your carbon footprint. Studies have shown that those who regularly walk and cycle on average live longer, healthier lives than those who do not regularly walk or cycle.
Electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are the future. With plans to ban the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by 2035, the transition to electric vehicles is only going to accelerate over the coming years.
Electric vehicles emit:
- zero emissions throughout their daily operation
- 50% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than diesel engine cars over their lifecycle
With ranges also improving every year, many newer cars can now travel over 250 miles in one single charge.
Due to cheaper running costs of an electric car, they are no more expensive than running petrol or diesel cars. In fact, a recent study has suggested that it would cost the average UK consumer roughly £310 a year to charge their electric car from home.
If you're interested in purchasing an electric vehicle, you'll receive up to £3,000 towards the purchase cost through the Plug-In Car Grant. View all eligible vehicles on the GOV.UK (plug-in-grant) website.
You can also receive funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing a smart home charge point through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS).
Public transport
Taking public transport is a great and simple way to reduce your carbon footprint. Much of the UK’s transport emissions comes from car exhausts. So one less car on the road means less greenhouse gasses emitted.
Roughly 46% of road carbon comes from journeys that last between 5 and 35 miles. An option to reduce your transport within this mileage range would be to explore the public transport options in your area.
To view more information on public transport in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, including operators and timetables, please click visit our public transport page.
Remember to travel safely on all public transport:
- observe social distancing rules
- wear a face covering
- remember to wash and/or sanitise your hand before and after touching your face covering
You can view further government coronavirus guidance on the GOV.UK (safer travel) website.