We Already Own Eco-Machines – How To Use Your Car More Efficiently.

In an ideal world none of us would need to drive cars, or at least only zero-emission cars, but in the real world this not yet possible for the vast majority of people. There are a lot of people out there who can’t afford a hybrid or don’t have a decent public transport network to get them around. The fact is many need to use the cars they already own. So it was interesting to see an article published in the Independent earlier this week which, rather than lecturing on the evils of car pollution, gave constructive advice about how we can use our cars in the most eco-efficient way possible. Although the title overstretches the point, I don’t think anyone can claim that a normal car is an eco- machine, Vince Yearley does give some simple and easy-to-do advice; such as servicing your car regularly, checking tyre pressure, and reducing the drag factor by taking unnecessary loads out of the car to save fuel. He tells us that ‘Research by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has shown that an average-mileage motorist (12,000 to 15,000 miles a year) could save at least £50 a year on petrol, and help reduce CO2 emissions, without changing cars. That's because advanced driving techniques, fuel efficiency and "eco-driving" go together.’ As Bonnie Alter wrote last month 'Britain will be introducing aspects of green driving into the driving test by 2008.' via:Pecha Kucha ::Independent