Driving Greener Every Day
by Bonnie Alter, London on 05. 2.06
Eco-driving is the new driving—it’s all about making small changes to your driving style to save fuel and cut emissions. The Dutch have been doing it for years because of the government’s goal of reducing emissions by 2010. They have a national centre where drivers are taught tips which could cut fuel use by almost a third. Britain will be introducing aspects of green driving into the driving test by 2008 in an attempt to cut emissions, save on fuel costs and make driving safer. As discussed in the Observer, here are some ways to get more out of your car: "Drive more smoothly: harsh accelerating and braking use up much more fuel - Avoid excessive speed, especially on motorways • Watch ahead to anticipate when to slow down or stop well in advance. • Change gear as soon as possible, ideally around 1,500-2,500 revs. • Once the engine is warm, turn it off if you are going to stop for longer than a minute. • Keep tire pressure at right level. • Take any excess baggage out of the car, and racks and boxes off the roof. • Switch off or turn down air conditioning and heating. • Avoid unnecessary trips” and of course: buy a more efficient car. The paper has a green driving quiz which is daunting ( how much fuel does an un-used roof rack use?). Critics say that the small average saving will not encourage people to change their ways—only a higher fuel price will do the trick. ::Observer
Embrace the power of fun! I and other Prius owners I know consider eco-driving a fun video game (real-time feedback via the fuel consumption screen). We need that technology in every new car.
Believe it or not, I've read that turning off the air conditioner on highways, and letting the air come in the windows, actually significantly decreases fuel efficiency--its much worse than using the A/C.
Keeping the windows open creates enormous wind drag and wastes energy. I'd say turning A/C down is the better choice.
Driving while talking on the cell phone wastes gas. How many times have you noticed a car that seemed out of sync with the flow of traffic and when you pull along side you see that they're talking on the cell phone. The other drivers have had to step on it to pass them or had to step on the brake and then re-accelerate up to speed.
It may cause other drivers to miss one or more signals and sit with the car idling until the light turns green. It increases congestion which is bad for gas mileage. You don't have to be talking on the cell phone to stunt to flow of traffic. If you drive unmindful of doing all that you can to facillitate the flow of traffic then you're causing gas to be wasted.
Pull as far to the right as possible when making a right turn so that you don't slow the traffic behind you. Don't creep through the turn at 5 mph. That holds up traffic.
Don't block traffic in any way unless it is absolutely essential.
I was driving with some friends down I95 to the Darfur rally in DC Sunday. Roadway signs advised "Slower speeds save gas." No one cared - average speeds were around 70 mph. Even with gas prices up, changing human behavior is difficult. It will take even more expensive oil to really get people to use energy more efficiently. It's not gov't responsibility alone. People need to take responsibility for it themselves.