Short Trips, Big Savings: Rethinking Car Travel in Plymouth

Many of the journeys we make in Plymouth are short; trips to the shops, school, work or to visit friends. These short journeys are often the easiest to overlook, but transport currently accounts for around 35% of Plymouth’s total carbon emissions, making it one of the biggest areas where small, everyday changes can add up.

With rising fuel, parking and maintenance costs, rethinking everyday travel can help save money while improving health and wellbeing too.

The true cost of short car journeys

76% of journeys in the UK under 3 miles are made by car. Short car trips come with costs:

• Fuel
• Parking
• Wear and tear
• Maintenance and repairs

Swapping just one typical 2.5-mile journey for walking, wheeling or cycling could save you around £1.40 every time. Replacing one short journey a day could save you more than £650 a year! That’s a noticeable bite out of household budgets.

Small changes that add up

Swapping just one or two short journeys a week can:

• Reduce spending on fuel
• Lower parking costs
• Cut down on vehicle wear

Walking, cycling or using public transport for local trips can quickly become part of a routine, especially when destinations are close by.

Saving money while feeling better

Choosing alternatives to the car doesn’t just help your wallet. It can also:

• Build gentle movement into the day
• Reduce stress linked to traffic and parking
• Help you feel more energised

Many people find that breaking up the day with a short walk or cycle makes everyday tasks feel easier and more enjoyable.

If you’re curious, start with one short journey this week and try a different way of getting there. You don’t need to change everything at once, small experiments often lead to lasting habits.

Designed for everyday life

Not every journey will work without a car and that’s okay! Sustainable travel is about flexibility, not perfection.

You might:

• Combine car use with walking or public transport
• Leave the car at home for local errands
• Choose the easiest option for that day
• Consider an electric vehicle
• Try car sharing

It’s about finding what works for you, your schedule and your energy levels.

Consider an electric vehicle

For journeys where a car is still the easiest option, an electric vehicle (EV) can be a lower-carbon alternative to petrol or diesel.

Electric vehicles:

• Have no tailpipe emissions, helping to improve local air quality
• Produce significantly lower carbon emissions over their lifetime than petrol or diesel cars
• Can be cheaper to run, with lower fuel and servicing costs

There are lots of other benefits to owning an EV, such as taking advantage of cheaper overnight tariffs for charging and avoiding fuel price hikes.

Find out useful guidance when looking to purchase an electric vehicle and bust some myths with our series on electric vehicles.

A city‑wide benefit

When more short journeys are made without cars, the benefits spread across the city:

• Cleaner air
• Quieter streets
• Safer neighbourhoods
• More space for people, not traffic

These changes help make Plymouth a healthier and more pleasant place to live. Why not choose one journey this week and try a different way to get there?