Look far up the road to anticipate upcoming actions and smooth out traffic flows. This key driving and safety strategy helps drivers avoid unnecessary, efficiency-hurting full vehicle stops, especially in city driving while commuting. You’re less likely to accelerate briskly (and inefficiently) when you see a red light or stopped traffic ahead, while seeing a person approaching a crosswalk in the distance can help drivers slow down and avoid unneeded stops in the first place. This driving habit helps reduce fuel consumption in stop-and-go traffic, especially for city drivers.
Be aware of traffic and construction patterns to improve fuel consumption. If possible, plan your trips to avoid rush hour commutes with stop-and-go congestion and streets clogged with long-term construction. A quick check of your route before setting out using a traffic app can help you save fuel, reduce aggravation, and avoid surprises like collisions or water main breaks along your route.
Car care can bring savings and it’s not only oil changes and tune-ups that can increase fuel efficiency, but basic items you can do yourself. Check your tires regularly to keep up tire inflation levels, remove roof and bike racks when not in use, and reduce heavy items in the trunk to improve fuel efficiency.
It’s true that cruise control can help avoid those little throttle blips that over time can add up faster than a constant electronically-controlled speed. But even a gentle hill can cause a cruise-controlled vehicle to down-shift multiple gears, which raises engine revs and increases fuel use to maintain speed.
A wiser fuel-saving strategy is to increase speed gently (watch your speed, be gentle and within speed limits) on any downhill portion before the road rises, then click off cruise control right around the set speed.
In the short term, optimize your driving habits by reviewing your daily schedule and combining trips, which saves time and improves fuel efficiency. Especially in colder Canadian temperatures, all vehicles are more efficient once warmed up. Longer-term, look at where you do most of your driving and which vehicle type—gas, hybrid, PHEV or BEV—will cost you the least to drive overall.
Search out all home charger incentive programs. Most potential buyers will be aware of the new vehicle government rebates offered federally and in most provinces. There are also various local government or utility green rebates which provide subsidized or low-cost loans for home EV charging stations (EVSEs). EVSEs provide a quicker charge, though the standard 110-volt charge cord may work overnight for some PHEV owners.
ABC means Always Be Charging: especially at free chargers. The number of free chargers may be decreasing, but for maximum fuel savings, it’s worth seeking them out. Don’t forget your charging etiquette: be courteous and move as soon as you’re done charging.
Study and practice your drive mode moves. Most EV and plug-in vehicles have different drive modes that vary the level of regeneration when you let your foot off the accelerator. It’s worth checking your owner’s manual for recommendations on each one, and to keep your eyes on the ‘game-ification’ scores or ratings your mode moves achieve.
Having that home EVSE is super helpful for cabin comfort: preconditioning while plugged in lets you leave with a full charge. Just before you depart, use your vehicle’s app or climate control timer to warm up or cool down the vehicle while plugged in, which will help improve your EV driving efficiency.
Regenerative braking is not always your friend. While hybrids and PHEVs all offer regenerative braking that efficiently reclaims power lost to friction heat on regular brakes, keep in mind that coasting is usually better than regenerative braking for maximum efficiency. So keep your eyes up, avoid coming to a full stop when possible, and extend out your regen braking for red lights or on long downhills.
Aggressive driving—characterized by speeding, rapid acceleration and frequent braking—is essentially a masterclass in wasting energy and reducing fuel efficiency.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by:
Wondering if a crossover is right for your family? Learn what crossover SUVs are, when they make sense, and what to consider before choosing one.
06 Feb 2026 6 minutes
Learn what CVT transmission is, how it works, and its pros and cons. Compare CVT vs automatic and understand why many modern vehicles use CVTs.
06 Feb 2026 4 minutes
Learn how to read tire size codes, match wheels and tires correctly, and understand width, aspect ratio, and rim diameter in this comprehensive guide.
30 Jan 2026 7 minutes