The BBC is touting eco-driving.
As the price of petrol edges ever higher, can a change in driving habits use less fuel – and salve a car fan’s conscience?
I’m a keen recycler, buyer of energy-saving lightbulbs and user of public transport, but when it comes to cars all my green efforts go out the window (rolled down, sunroof open). Until it started to cost an eye-watering £54 to fill my car with fuel.
Well, aside from the little matter that nothing short of darkness will persuade me to buy those god-awful “green” lightbulbs, the matter of eco-driving is nothing new…
But proponents of a motoring technique known as “eco-driving” – who include the AA, the Energy Saving Trust and the government – claim that it will not just cut emissions of carbon dioxide, but could also improve fuel efficiency by up to 30%.
The idea is that through good maintenance, a more relaxed driving style and cutting out short trips, you can make a difference to the health of the planet – and your wallet.
Tim Shallcross, of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, says while car manufacturers have many ideas to make their products more environmentally-friendly, using smarter driving techniques can make an immediate difference.
Ignore the “saving the planet” bollocks and underneath it all, you have something that is almost as old as driving itself. The principle of advanced driving technique is to maximise the distance between oneself and hazards. This involves reading the road, lifting one’s foot off the gas and easing off before a situation develops – thus avoiding unnecessary braking. Gentle, yet brisk acceleration to an optimum cruising speed, smooth use of gears and selecting the appropriate gear just prior to needing it. And, of course, regular maintenance – correct tyre pressures, efficient brakes, fuel system and so on.
Nope, nothing new – just the packaging.
I’ve been using these techniques for thirty years – it’s why when many motorcyclists get around 6,000 miles to a rear tyre (or a lot less in some cases), I get nearer to 12,000 miles. It’s why I get the better part of 50mpg from my bike when others see half that. No, I don’t hang about, I just get there more smoothly and do the same when losing speed.
Thirty years ago, we didn’t call it eco-driving (riding) we called it advanced driving – because that’s what it is.
“…reading the road, lifting one’s foot off the gas and easing off before a situation develops – thus avoiding unnecessary braking.”
All the things no-one ever seems to do anymore. Most drivers in my area charge full-speed up to red or yellow lights, slamming on the brakes at the very last second, as if it’s come as a surprise to them…
“…regular maintenance – correct tyre pressures..”
Even the Great Hope himself has noticed that one 😉
JuliaMs last blog post..I Thought They Had To Trade Sexual Favours For Phonecards…?
You know if they concentrated more on the fact that it can halve your fuel bills rather than the eco-bollocks I suspect there would be many more people interested. Being ecologically sound is a luxury only there for people form whom the only thing left to buy is a sense of infuriating self-righteousness.
Personally I don’t drive that much, because I don’t have to. The car gets used once a week or so. I use the train once a month or so because despite the inadequacy of the railway as a transport network compared to private transport for some journeys the large levels of subsidy makes it cheaper than driving. I would have to fork out of the subsidy anyway so why not get something from it. This is less environmentally sound than driving, but more economically rational.
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Indeed so. I wrote an article for Motorcycle Rider a year or so back on just this subject. My emphasis was on a smoother, more efficient ride.