Use More Gas Efficient Vehicles & Maintain Them
There are more and more hybrid car models available so check these out, if you are in the market for a new car. The California Air Resource Board has just announced a new Fueling Alternatives program to give rebates of up to $5,000 to Californians who purchase alternative fuel vehicles between May, 2007 and March 2009. (See this complete list of qualifying vehicles.) If you are not in the market for a new car and, in fact, have an older or smaller car that gets really good gas mileage, hold onto it and continue to maintain it, as some of these do better in mileage than newer standard cars. Be sure to keep tires well inflated, as underinflated tires are a big drag on gas mileage, no matter what the make or model. Doing a lot of short local trips on your own? Consider an electric scooter to get incredible mileage!

Use Mass Transit
It can take time to figure out your route but, for most people, using mass transit is the most energy-efficient way to travel. It can also be the most cost-effective and the most convenient (especially if you need to travel during rush hour.) If you in the habit of jumping in your car to go everywhere, taking a moment when you are not rushing out to explore the mass transit options available for some or more of your trips, can yield some surprising opportunities. Even a 10% increase in your use of mass transit can have a positive environmental impact. Here are links the bay areas mass transit entities, with schedule, fare and route information. Please support these options whenever possible.

• CalTrain
• BART
• SamTrans
• San Mateo County Transportion Authority

Use Your Bike More
Kids love using their bikes and will generally leap on an opportunity to ride their bicycle somewhere, rather than being driven. Consider taking your kids to school on bikes one, two or more times a week. If you bike with them, you won't need to spend those hours at the gym. By riding with your kids, you can teach them the rules of the road first hand and build competence and confidence in them. If your kids grow up with biking competence, there is a greater chance that they will be willing to continue riding their bikes independently, even after they are old enough to drive. This may be the best way to postpone their dependence on petroleum-based transport. So, why not hop on your bike to go somewhere. An estimated 40% of all car trips are only 2 to 5 miles, a perfect biking distance. It is fun, efficient, good for health and good for the environment and California has some of the best biking weather going! Check out this Bicycle Fact Sheet link from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on the many benefits to communities of increased use of bike riding.

Driving Efficiency Awareness
Driving alone? Take the smallest car you can or that cool new scooter! Meeting someone or a group? Consider carpooling—it can double or triple your efficiency. Be road aware and anticipate your stops. Accelerate and brake gradually, rather than racing into and out of traffic lights. These habits conserve gas. Waiting for someone? Don't idle your car. Car idling is both bad for the environment and bad for your car's engine.

Refueling
Petrochemicals evaporating into the air a big source of polluting gases, including ozone. Be careful when you refuel to follow the recommendations, especially not "topping off" and keeping the nozzle secure against your car, to recapture fumes. Best time to refuel is in the evening.

Reduce or Eliminate your use of Recreational Gas Guzzling Gadgets
There was a time when big vehicles and toys with large engines were a status symbol. Now they are a known threat to our environment and increasingly seen as symbol of disregard for the well-being of our children and future generations. Consider your more efficient models and less polluting pursuits. Your kids will thank you in the future. Take a look at the stunningly cool electric gadgets like the new Tesla Motors electric vehicle which is still hard to come by. And, if you are in the market for something really green and state-of-the-art right now, see this list of the "Top 10 electric vehicles you can buy right now."