Skip advert
Advertisement

Seven ways to stay green

You don’t have to buy an eco car to cut costs – and save the planet. These top products can make all the difference

Motorists looking to do their bit for the environment – and save money, too – can now pick from a range of eco-branded models.

But you don’t have to buy a new vehicle to cut your carbon footprint, as there’s a wealth of great products on offer.

They’re all easy to find, and will give your car a green makeover for a fraction of the cost. Here are our top ‘super seven’ buys.

Advertisement - Article continues below

 * 1) Clean your car more efficiently

Eco warriors hate to see water wasted – and if you wash your car regularly, thousands of litres end up going down the drain every year.

There are alternatives, though, such as OneDryWash. This no-rinse formula is simply sprayed on to the bodywork, spread around and then wiped off with a clean cloth – not a drop of water is required!

If that’s a step too far, DoDo Juice’s SuperNatural Shampoo (£12.95 for 250ml) is biodegradable, and can be diluted in a ratio of 1:1,500, so it promises to minimise your impact on the environment.

 * 2) Install long-life headlight bulbs

Your choice of headlamps can affect your car’s fuel economy – fit a set of the latest long-life bulbs, which  don’t use as much power, and in turn up your mpg.

Try Philips EcoVision; a set costs £15.99, and claims to last twice as long as regular bulbs.

 * 3) Use a green interior cleaner

It’s not only exterior cleaning products that can affect the environment; those designed to care for your cabin can also be harmful.

So consider one of CarPlan’s EcoCar offerings. The ingredients are derived from plant and vegetable extracts, and chosen from renewable and sustainable sources. Plus, the packaging is recyclable. There’s an odour eliminator, plus dash and glass cleaners, with prices starting from £3.99.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Picanto

2020 Kia

Picanto

17,839 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £9,500
View Picanto
A-Class

2023 Mercedes

A-Class

35,428 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £18,300
View A-Class
Tiguan

2024 Volkswagen

Tiguan

45,302 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £18,597
View Tiguan
C-HR

2022 Toyota

C-HR

48,352 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £18,697
View C-HR

 * 4) Burn all the fuel in tank to boost mpg

When was the last time you had your spark plugs replaced? Experts at Bosch claim poor-quality plugs don’t always combust fuel in the chamber – and that increases your car’s consumption.

It recommends installing upgraded products, such as its Super range, to squeeze as much mpg out of a tank of petrol as possible.

These plugs also claim to be more durable than standard parts. They are said to last for more than 60,000 miles – a set of standard spark plugs will give only around 18,000 miles.

The same principle applies to drivers of diesels – they should keep a close eye on their cars’ glow plugs, to ensure that all the fuel in the chamber is combusted.

 * 5) Chip your car for better economy

Most people associate engine modifications with increasing performance. But an upgrade – or chip – can also help to lower your emissions and improve fuel economy.
 
There is a raft of engineering specialists which will carry out the work.

Star*Chip focuses on petrol engines, and its upgrades start at £299, while diesel chips from Tunit cost from £415. Either way, you’ll notice the benefits instantly.

Tunit modifications claim to give “more power, better economy and up to 27 per cent lower CO2 emissions”.

While you’re under the bonnet, check out the battery. Varta Automotive says its cells can be recycled without harming the planet.

 * 6) Cut unnecessary miles with sat-nav

The latest sat-navs plot the most efficient route – avoiding hills and traffic lights. Check out Garmin’s EcoRoute, plus the similar feature on the TomTom 950.

Vexia’s EcoNav system goes even further. It offers a gearshift indicator – similar to that on eco models – to tell you when to change up to get maximum efficiency. It claims to increase mpg by a third.

 * 7) Roll with it to boost efficiency

Low-resistance tyres are another key feature of green cars. The less the rubber drags, the less power – and fuel – is needed to turn it.

You can fit these tyres to regular models. Michelin always performs well in our tyre tests, and Goodyear’s EfficientGrip blends low drag with superb handling on wet roads.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,549 off RRP*Used from £11,890
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,271 off RRP*Used from £12,700
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £14,295
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £12,200
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
Best cars to own: Driver Power 2025 results
Driver Power 2025 - header

Best cars to own: Driver Power 2025 results

The best new cars to own in the UK right now according to the people who already do. It’s the 2025 Driver Power results!
News
10 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025