Planet-friendly travel
LeShuttle is one of the greenest ways to travel between the UK and the continent. Explore how we maintain our commitment to sustainable travel.
The LeShuttle experience
An experience like no other
LeShuttle, formerly known as Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, is a unique, convenient and quick way to travel between the UK and France.
Drive on, relax, drive off
Drive to Europe in just 35 minutes when you take your car by train
No furry friends left behind
Take your dogs in your car by train to Europe
The greener way to go
Now more than ever, we're all trying to do our bit for the planet. LeShuttle (formerly known as Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) is a sustainable choice, helping you keep your carbon footprint low. In fact, when compared with ferry travel, crossing the channel on LeShuttle emits 73 times less carbon dioxide.
The future is electric
Travelling by electric vehicle is kinder on the environment, and we support our customers who do so. We have EV chargers at both of our terminals available on your outward journey, completely free to use.
In 2022, electricity consumption for LeShuttle was certified as 51% renewable source, and 60% low carbon, including nuclear energy. We're also working hard to develop our own renewable farms.
Kinder by design
The Channel Tunnel, through which LeShuttle trains travel, was designed with the planet in mind. It was built underneath the seabed, and protects aquatic life, as the tunnel doesn't interact with the fragile marine ecosystem. LeShuttle uses 100% electric locomotives, and 54% of the electricity used to power the trains comes from renewable sources.
Leading the way
At LeShuttle, we take our commitment to the environment seriously. We aim to reduce our 2019 emissions level by 30% by 2025 and hope to be fully carbon neutral by 2050. We're not afraid to be held accountable, and are the only cross-channel operator to reveal our carbon emissions, which we've done since 2006.
Investing in nature
Did you know LeShuttle has its very own nature reserve? Samphire Hoe Nature Reserve, near our Folkestone Terminal, was built using the millions of tonnes of chalk marl extracted from beneath the sea during construction of The Channel Tunnel. In 2022 it received its 17th Green Flag Award, and it welcomes more than 130,000 visitors each year. It plays host to 220 species of birds each year and more than 200 species of plants.
In France, 31 hectares of land have been devoted to biodiversity preservation since 2021. Moreover, we've partially replaced the polluting mechanical equipment used to maintain the green areas around the terminal with Salers and Highland cattle. They now graze 34 hectares considerably more peacefully than the land-clearers did.
Go greener
Before heading off on a long road trip, it’s a good idea to check over your car, making sure it’s running at its best. This ensures you are not contributing more pollution than is necessary.
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Use the car washTaking your car to a commercial car wash wastes much less water, and the wastewater is much less likely to end up flowing into storm drains and eventually rivers, lakes and waterways. Commercial car washes are more likely to recycle and reuse their water.
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Regularly service your vehicle.Keeping your car serviced annually boosts fuel efficiency. A more efficient car is one more suited to eco driving – replacing a clogged filter, a worn spark plug or old engine oil could improve your miles-per-gallon by as much as 10%.
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Clean your air filterBefore you set off, clean out your air filter. Did you know, an unclean air filter can reduce fuel efficiency by 20%? You can clean your dry air filter with a vacuum, or use a cleaning kit for an oil filter.
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Check your tyre pressureJust like a dirty air filter, poorly inflated tyres can have a negative effect on the environment. You will lose 0.3% of fuel mileage for every 1psi your tyre pressure drops below the manufacturer’s recommendation. Driving with underinflated tyres is also very dangerous, so it’s important you check your tyre pressure regularly.
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Avoid air conditioningAir conditioning increases your car’s fuel consumption, so if possible use the ECO feature on modern vehicles or, if it’s the summer, just open your windows to keep cool!
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Try eco drivingEco-driving is a way of driving that maximises your vehicle’s fuel consumption and reduces its impact on the environment. Eco-driving can save you money on fuel, and lowers levels of pollution.
- Drive smoothly and gently. By avoiding sharp braking or accelerating, you can reduce your fuel consumption.
- Keep your vehicle moving. The more time your vehicle is moving the better. Eco-driving is about reducing the time your engine is idling, minimising sharp braking or accelerating, coasting instead of braking and regulating your speed.
- Observe the speed limit. The faster you go the more fuel you consume, so boost your fuel economy by keeping to the limit.
- Plan your journey. Plan your route so it gives you the best chance to drive in an environmentally friendly way. Stay tuned to traffic reports, note roadworks areas and avoid routes that cut through busy junctions or cities.
- Avoid idling. Idling your vehicle for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than if the engine is switched off and on again. So if you think you will be stationery for more than momentary periods – for example, if you find yourselves queuing in urban traffic – switch off your engine.
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