Are you a keenie or a greenie?

Kwik-Fit has identified ‘keenies’ – people who’re keen to live greener lives, but don’t know where to start. The discovery comes after Kwik-Fit’s research found that 4.5 million motorists in the UK said they were concerned about the negative impact that their vehicle has on the environment, but are unsure about what they can do about it.

Motoring ‘keenies’ are eager to join the 13 million British drivers (40%) identified by Kwik-Fit as already active in minimising their motoring carbon footprints. These motoring ‘greenies’ are cutting their carbon footprints by walking more (62%), getting their car serviced at more regular intervals (37%), using public transport where possible (35%), driving a more environmentally friendly vehicle (19%) and cycling (16%).

Despite many people using their own initiative to reduce their motoring carbon footprint, 21 million motorists (63%) still feel that the motor industry could provide them with more green options.

Kwik-Fit’s research also found that over 21 million drivers said they would be interested in a car service that makes their car run more environmentally friendly. So ‘keenies’ and ‘greenies’ alike will be pleased to know that Kwik-Fit has just launched Go Green – the UK’s first green car service to help motorists run cleaner, more efficient vehicles thus reducing their motoring impact on the environment. Go Green also provides motorists with a convenient way of neutralising their motoring carbon footprint for up to six months – by giving £10 to an independent carbon offsetting company on their behalf.

Chris Bosworth, head of Go Green at Kwik-Fit, the UK first green car service, commented: “The current drive towards living cleaner, greener lives has clearly pricked a lot of motoring consciences. But there are many people who we’ve termed ‘keenies’ who’d like to reduce their motoring carbon footprint that either don’t know where to start or feel that there aren’t any viable options for them.

He continued: “It’s all very well telling people to drive less but this is not always an option, especially those who live in remote areas or whose livelihoods rely on them using their car. Similarly, few of us can afford to simply change our current car for a newer, more fuel efficient model. Clearly there’s a real demand for the automotive industry to provide a wider range of green motoring options.”

Chris Bosworth, continued: “Go Green is a simple way for those motorists that are concerned about the damage that their car is inflicting on the environment to do something about it. We believe that this is the first such service of its kind in the UK and would urge other car servicing companies to follow suit.”

About Go Green

Kwik-Fit’s Go Green service only costs an extra £29 on top of a normal interim or full service. For this Kwik-Fit will also carry out a number of other checks and enhancements that will turn your car into a green machine.

One third (£10) of the £29 Go Green charge goes directly to carbon offsetting activity organised by the CarbonNeutral Company for climate friendly projects around the world which reduce or absorb carbon in the atmosphere. Projects include renewable energy, methane capture and energy efficiency as well as forestry projects which absorb CO2.

Go Green adds just 20 minutes to the service. Motorists will also receive an information pack about The CarbonNeutral Company scheme plus a certificate to commemorate the offsetting of one tonne of carbon.

Go Green Service Extras

Adding a fuel treatment to the tank that systematically cleans the engine and ensures it burns cleanly and efficiently.

Checking brakes are operating efficiently – minimising the amount of fuel needed to slow the car.

Checking emissions for improper gases so that they meet and exceed legal requirements for a balanced mix.

Checking that engine management system sensor for O2 is operational and sending the optimum amount of fuel to the combustion chamber.

Offsetting one tonne of carbon by funding verified emissions reductions projects around the world. This is equivalent to 6 months or 4,000 miles of average driving by the average car.

Top Driving Tips for Keeping Green

Remember, you can help reduce your carbon emissions every day by following our top tips to reduce your driving carbon footprint:

Check your tyre pressure often (or get Kwik-Fit to do it for you) – an underinflated tyre takes more petrol to roll.

Service your car annually to check that all is working efficiently and not using more fuel than necessary.

Remove any unnecessary items from your car – a heavier car (and one with a roof rack) takes more fuel to move.

Easing off the gas a little and accelerating slowly will cut fuel a lot – reducing speed from 70mph to 56mph for example, will reduce costs by one quarter.