Eco-Driving could save you up to £100 each year

Green driving could not only help the environment but also save drivers up to £100 each year in wasted fuel. New RAC research shows that motorists who choose against ‘eco-driving’ contribute to a £2.2 billion wasted fuel bill each year.

Even in the era of sat navs and modern high tech engines, the research also shows that British drivers are still wasting the equivalent of 267 Olympic sized swimming pools of fuel due to poor journey planning, and drive over five billion miles each year while lost.

Two thirds (60%) of drivers aren’t aware that changing gear when revs are high can reduce fuel consumption and four in ten (40%) think that driving under 45mph always saves fuel. A further one in ten (9%) drivers admits to checking their tyre pressure less than once a year with three quarters (77%) not aware that under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption.

The RAC findings also show that drivers are not sure which driving practices can save fuel:

• A tenth (9%) wrongly believe that braking regularly will reduce fuel consumption
• Nearly a sixth (14%) incorrectly think warming the engine up before moving off reduces fuel used
• Over a quarter (27%) aren’t aware that switching off air conditioning significantly reduces fuel used

David Bizley, RAC’s Technical Director comments, “With fuel prices at a record high, adopting eco driving techniques is an easy way for consumers to reduce their fuel consumption to help purses, wallets and the environment. We hope that by raising awareness of the simple changes motorists can make to their driving style, they will be able to absorb some of the increasing cost of fuel through their own driving habits.”

RAC has come up with the following hints and tips to help improve fuel efficiency and reduce cars’ impact on the environment:

1) Pump up to cut down: under inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is moving, which means engines have to work harder, so more fuel is used and more CO2 emissions are produced (the owner handbook will advise the correct pressure).

2) Less clutter means less CO2: clutter in boots add weight and engines must work harder to transport it, so removing it can the engine’s workload and cut CO2 emissions (also remove roof boxes or rails when not in use the drag caused increases fuel consumption).

3) Driving at an appropriate speed reduces CO2: not only does staying at or within the speed limit increase driver safety, it also reduces CO2 emissions and saves money on fuel costs.

4) Less stopping and starting means less CO2: anticipating traffic flow will reduce fuel consumption.

5) Over-revving accelerates emissions: modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment they are switched on, so revving up like a Formula 1 car in pole position while standing still only wastes fuel and increases engine wear.

6) Idling is wasting fuel: if you’re likely to be at a standstill for more than three minutes, simply switch off the engine.

7) Shop around: Use a fuel comparison website to find the best priced fuel in your region.

8) Don’t get lost: don’t waste fuel by going the wrong way - plan route before leaving with RAC Route Planner: www.rac.co.uk/web/routeplanner