A road trip is one of the best ways to explore new places, experience scenic landscapes, and enjoy the freedom of the open road, particularly in a country as beautiful as New Zealand.
However, if you are driving a petrol car, often these adventures come with a hefty carbon footprint due to the fuel consumption and emissions that are created.
For this reason, it is good to choose an eco-friendly way to drive around, which is why planning a sustainable road trip in a hybrid vehicle is a fantastic option.
Not only does doing this reduce your environmental impact, but it can also save you money on fuel and provide you with a more pleasurable driving experience.
With that in mind, if you’d like to make the switch, here is how you can plan a sustainable road trip in a hybrid vehicle.
Choosing the Right Hybrid Vehicle
If you don’t have a hybrid vehicle, and in particular, if you are visiting New Zealand on a holiday, you’ll need to procure one.
Luckily, you can book a hybrid car rental in most cities and large towns on both the North and South Island. Airports and the CBD tend to be where they are most located.
When choosing a car, look for a hybrid with good fuel economy, ample storage space, and features that suit your travel needs. Some popular hybrid models like the Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq, and Honda CR-V Hybrid offer excellent mileage and reliability for long drives.
When renting a hybrid, you should always ask about the vehicle’s electric range, fuel efficiency, and what available charging stations there are along your route. Additionally, if you're considering a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), check whether your destinations have charging facilities. The New Zealand Transport Agency has a map which you can refer to.
Planning an Eco-Friendly Route
Once you have secured the car, it is a good idea to map out your journey with sustainability in mind because this can greatly improve your fuel efficiency.
You don’t have to be exacting in your itinerary – the nature of road trips is that you should be open to going off the beaten path on occasion. However, by using GPS apps that highlight the shortest and most fuel-efficient routes, you’ll be able to reduce your emissions.
At the same time, you should be aware of roads that have fewer inclines and less traffic. You don’t have to avoid them at all costs because often there are some wonderful sites of interest along those routes. However, if you are aware of them, you can choose a different route that burns less fuel as you will do less stop-and-go driving.
Packing Light and Smart
In New Zealand, you should pack for all weather conditions, especially outside of summer. However, to make your road trip more sustainable, you will need to balance this out with not making your car too heavy.
Unfortunately, the heavier your car, the more fuel it will consume, so try to streamline what you pack to ensure you don’t have too much dead weight.
Driving Tips
Even when driving a hybrid vehicle, your habits can impact upon fuel efficiency, which is why you should adopt eco-friendly driving techniques to help you get the most out of your trip and reduce your carbon footprint.
One of the benefits of hybrid vehicles is that they use regenerative braking, which converts energy that has been lost during braking into electricity that recharges the battery. Therefore, to take advantage of this feature from a sustainability perspective, you should try to coast and brake gradually rather than stopping suddenly.
It is also a good idea to reduce your usage of the air conditioning system, keep your tires properly inflated, and maintain a steady speed, as all of these actions reduce your fuel consumption.
Charging and Fueling Up Responsibly
If you’re driving a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), you should make a point of prioritising going to solar EV charging stations, as opposed to petrol stations, along your route. However, if you book a conventional hybrid, you should choose fuel-efficient gas stations that offer cleaner fuels or biofuels.
Some fuel brands focus on reducing carbon emissions through elevated refining processes or offset programs, which has less impact on the environment.
Choosing Sustainable Accommodations
A sustainable road trip doesn’t end with your car, so if you need to book overnight accommodation on your trip you should look for a place that demonstrates a commitment to sustainability.
In New Zealand, many hotels, lodges, or campsites have green certifications, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or Green Key, which showcase their dedication to reducing their environmental impact.
Some of them even have EV charging stations, solar-powered facilities, or eco-friendly waste management systems onsite that you can use.
Eating Sustainably on the Road
While sometimes convenience is a major influence on where we choose to eat on a road trip, your food choices can have a significant impact on how sustainable yours is.
Where possible, try to find local, organic, and sustainably sourced food options, such as local farmers' markets and restaurants that use seasonal ingredients.
Doing this will not only reduce your carbon footprint but also enhance your overall travel adventure through a delightful gastronomic experience.
