This website may not be able to support Internet Explorer. Please use other compatible browsers such as Chrome and Edge for a better experience.
All website features may not be available based upon your cookie consent elections. Click here to update settings.
Two men standing at train platform

Help to make one less car journey

According to an Ipsos survey, 75% of drivers have taken steps to use their car less to help them save on fuel, with 1 in 3 drivers switching, or planning to switch a car journey for walking, cycling or public transport.1

Using your car less is not going to be possible for everyone, particularly where no real alternative exists. But for many, there are journeys we’re making by car that we probably don’t need to.

After all, the impact of the pandemic has already changed our driving habits, and according to the National Travel Survey, around 50% of car journeys made are under 5 miles, with 25% under 2 miles.2

The first step to driving less is identifying what you can do differently (and it may not be obvious). If it’s a change you can repeat, then that’s even better because the difference it could make on total fuel consumption and emissions from driving can really add up.

The hardest bit is actually making the change. Here are some ways to help you get started!

 
Photo of a group of people standing next to a car

Share a journey

We’ve teamed up with Liftshare – the UK’s biggest car sharing community – to get even more people and businesses to try lift-sharing.

Sharing a journey with just one person halves the amount of fuel used – saving the drivers and passengers money (Liftshare members save over £1,000 a year3 on average). Fewer cars on the road also means fewer emissions, less traffic and more parking spaces available – so it’s good news for everyone!

Over 700,000 people are already using Liftshare. To help get even more drivers to share journeys during, July and September, we've offered 500 at Esso to everyone who signed up to Liftshare. But the rewards won't stop here as we're busy preparing other offers for people who use Liftshare, so make sure to sign up and be the first to know.

First-person perspective photo of a person cycling through an urban environment

Do the little journeys a little differently

Did you know, 1 in 2 car journeys are under 5 miles? This spring, we’ve been on a mission to help you swap a short drive for a bike ride.

Between 29th March and 27th June, we’ve given away a commute-busting e-bike and 10,000 Nectar points every day.

Would you make a journey differently? We’ve put together top tips on biking it to work, maintenance and more, to inspire you to swap a short drive for a bike ride.

Learn more about using your bike more
Woman walking with two girls in a park.

Tackling the school run with HomeRun

A quarter of cars on the road during the morning ‘rush hour’ are doing the school run4. We’ve teamed up with the innovative school transport app HomeRun to help reduce the number of school runs made by car.

HomeRun provides schools with the tools to offer parents more sustainable travel options – whether it’s organising shared minibuses, setting up carpooling or supporting walking, cycling and independent travel.

It also provides a community platform that schools can use to keep parents up to date with the latest information.

The schools already using HomeRun have reduced the number of car journeys made by 25%, and reduced their school commute CO2 footprint by 28%4.

To begin with, we’ve committed to funding 15 test schools on the platform for 3 years, and providing incentives to encourage participation. The aim is to save 300,000 ‘school run’ miles and 100 tons of vehicle CO2 emissions a year at these schools.4,5

Explore sustainable school transport options today

Here’s a thought:

  • Parent walking with child.

    Shorter journeys

    Try not to use your car for shorter journeys like the school run. Even if it's just one day a week, you could start your day with a walk – with some quick win health benefits built in!

  • Man cycling.

    One less drive

    Could some journeys be made without the car? Taking public transport or using an e-bike could help you beat the rush hour and get you to your destination quicker.

  • Woman carrying bags while smiling.

    Shopping locally

    Replacing some of the weekly supermarket car trips with a walk to the local shops is a win-win – you buy quality fresh produce while supporting small businesses.

  • Man and woman planning route using app.

    Combining trips

    If you have to do a series of short trips, use a journey planner to find the most efficient way to make them in one go.

  • Photo of two women inside of a car smiling at each other

    Car pooling

    Especially if the ride is the same, share the car with colleagues to save money and fuel.

Woman strolling on the pavement with her bike

Sign up for updates on our latest Thoughtful Driving initiatives

Sign up for our emails to receive inspiring news, offers and fuel-saving ideas.

Sign up now

More about Thoughtful Driving

Thoughtful Driving
Help to fill up with less impact
Help to drive more economically
Help to make one less car journey
Exxon Mobil Corporation has numerous affiliates, many with names that include ExxonMobil, Exxon, Mobil, Esso. For convenience and simplicity, those terms and terms such as Corporation, company, our, we, and its are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific affiliates or affiliate groups. Abbreviated references describing global or regional operational organizations, and global or regional business lines are also sometimes used for convenience and simplicity.  Nothing contained herein is intended to override the corporate separateness of affiliated companies.
  1. Ipsos Cost of Fuel Report, June 2022
  2. National Travel Survey - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  3. Source: Liftshare
  4. Source: HomeRun – see: https://www.homerun-app.com Based on an analysis & calculations performed by HomeRun, the emissions reduction calculation uses manufacturer exhaust emissions data. Actual exhaust emissions may vary from manufacturer information due to factors like driving style, vehicle maintenance, weight and previous fuels used.
  5. HomeRun estimate of potential benefits for 15 schools. Final results may vary and will depend upon factors such as the calculated commute footprint of participating schools, school participation rates etc.