Transportation

If you’re driven to reduce your carbon emissions, changing your transportation habits is a great way to get moving. Pick one day a week to carpool, ride your bike or take the bus. Explore some fuel-efficient options next time you go car shopping. Or tune up your current vehicle for its best performance.

Vehicle

Save green on financing – Money-saving tip
Save up to 0.50% APR on your qualifying loan rate when you finance a vehicle that's currently designated SmartWay or SmartWay Elite by the EPA. Columbia's E-Go Green Auto Loan program isn't just for cutting-edge hybrids; many conventional cars qualify as well.

Compare green vehicles – Pocketbook neutral
Review green ratings for car models released since 2000 at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Vehicle Guide. Easily compare miles per gallon and emissions ratings to find the greenest car for you.

Buy a hybrid – Worth the extra cash
A hybrid vehicle might be your top-of-mind choice when it comes to fuel efficiency and saving money on gas. In fact, the Portland-Vancouver region is the most popular market for hybrid cars with over 11 hybrids per 1,000 households¹.

Biofuel up – Pocketbook neutral
Certain cars can run on biofuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol, which cost about the same as traditional fuels. Biodiesel is a nontoxic and biodegradable alternative to regular diesel. Ethanol, often produced from corn or sugar cane, can be used in many newer cars. Check for biofuel locations through the Northwest Biofuels Association —Columbia Credit Union is a charter member of the group.

Fuel efficiency

Drive the speed limit – Money-saving tip
Avoid rapid starts and stops and exceeding the speed limit. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates you can save 16 cents to $1.06 per gallon (with prices at $3.22/gallon).

Tune up – Worth the extra cash
Improve gas mileage by 4 percent or more by tuning your engine, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Replace a clogged air filter to boost efficiency by 10 percent.

Check the tires – Money-saving tip
Make sure your tires are properly inflated, improving mileage by more than 3 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Cruise control – Money-saving tip
An Edmunds.com study shows that using cruise control at highway speeds offers an average fuel savings of 7 percent.

Lose the junk in the trunk – Money-saving tip
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that drivers can save between three and six cents a gallon (with gas prices at $3.22/gallon) by removing unnecessary weight from the car.

Alternatives

Take the bus – Money-saving tip
According to Time online, more than 30 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. come from transportation. You can reduce those emissions by riding the bus.

Ride a bike – Money-saving tip
Why spend extra time at the gym when you can tone your body and save money, all while reducing carbon emissions? If you can’t make it all the way to your destination, try shorter bike rides to the nearest bus stop.

Carpool – Money-saving tip
Get to know your colleagues and neighbors a little better. Set up a carpool schedule and share your ride a day or two each week.