INBOX:ONE OF the biggest gadgets that we use on a daily basis but rarely think twice about is the car. Even as governments and lobbyists rail about the damage pollution is doing to our environment, we can't seem to wean ourselves off the heady drug known as the automobile.

How though can we make our cars greener?

According to a report last week, Ireland could massively reduce CO2 emissions if only 10 per cent of motorists switched to cars with hybrid or electric engines.

So says government agency Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), which added that this small reduction would have the same effect as taking 100,000 cars off the road and bring down carbon dioxide levels - the gas blamed for global warming - by 0.35 million tonnes a year.

SEI also found that, over 10 years of use, a battery-powered electric car could save up to €8,000 over the lifetime of the vehicle compared to the cost of running a petrol or diesel car.

The most significant effect would come from targeting fleet vehicles in cities, with the council, Garda and public transport coming close behind.

The problem is electric or hybrid vehicles are more expensive, so financial incentives may be required. The oil crisis is certainly having an effect.

Soaring fuel prices have led to a big increase in the number of motorists opting for "green" cars this year in the UK, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reporting that sales of hybrid and electric cars are up 14 per cent.

However it may be that you don't have to opt for the full electric experience.

Car makers are lining up to produce greener versions of their standard models. Ford has its ECOnetic range of Focuses and Mondeos that deliver less pollution, but at little more cost and with no noticeable difference to the handling. Volkswagen and its other brands Seat and Skoda have also created new green ranges with the Bluemotion, Ecomotive and Greenline editions, while Fiat has an Eco Bravo now.

Ford says a 2 per cent reduction in the Focus's CO2 output would deliver a bigger reductions in CO2 levels than all the hybrid car sales in the UK put together.

In fact, contrary to what you might think, some green versions of normal cars claim to rival electric ones for efficiency.

The VW Polo Bluemotion will deliver 99g/km of CO2, not far behind a pure electric vehicle like the G-Wiz, taking into account pollution generated at the power station which delivers electricity. But then, I do wonder if that comparison takes into account the cost of getting the petrol to the petrol station.

However, there is a gadget that can make your car drive greener than it does today: your brain.

Here's how: get rid of unnecessary weight, like junk in the boot; make sure the tyre pressure is adequate or even a little on the high side to reduce road friction; turn off the air conditioning, which saps power and fuel; don't accelerate too fast; always get into the high gears as soon as you can, and "coast" towards junctions in a high gear.

These simple tips alone could shave 25 per cent off your fuel bill, without a new car or a gadget in sight.