Time for a new drive
Mar 18 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette
“ENVIRONMENTAL issues and energy efficiency in particular have risen dramatically up the business agenda for organisations of all sizes,” says Steve Hunter of the Energy Saving Trust advice centre in Billingham.
Not surprisingly, as fuel topped $100 a barrel, the biggest demand has come from those interested in getting more out of the tank, while for environmentalists, businesses promise to deliver some of the biggest environmental gains.
“Company car fleets contribute a significant amount of CO2 emissions - around half of new cars registered each year are for business purposes,” says Steve.
“The initial reaction from many when developing a greener fleet is that it will cost them money. Yet our calculations show that UK businesses could save £2.6bn a year by running their fleets in a more environmentally friendly fashion.”
The EST’s green fleet review has seen a 100% uptake in interest over the past three years and its Business Transport Advice programme has offered support to companies of all sizes on Tees.
It has teamed up with Stockton Council’s road safety advisors to encourage firms to cut fuel bills and emissions by training drivers in eco-friendly techniques. So we put them to the test...
Business editor Sue Scott joined former traffic cop Joe Kendall to test her eco driving skills. She then applied it to her company car, a Vauxhall Astra 1.6X diesel to see how much she could save.
“Ten out of ten people who come to me have the same lack of forward planning and unnecessary use of controls, especially gear changes,” says Joe Kendall. “Braking and gear changing is an important factor when saving fuel.”
After years of long-distance travelling, I’ve developed classic, limp wrist syndrome - one hand permanently on the gear stick, constantly going up and down the register and relying on the brakes rather deceleration to get me out of trouble.
Having to unlearn your driving technique requires concentration - skipping the gears from two to four and three to five didn’t come naturally, but proof that it’s effective in cutting consumption came two days later when I applied Joe’s tips to my 135-mile round trip to work, which involves nine roundabouts and undulating country road before opening up on to the A19 dual carriageway.
The trick, Joe had told me, was not so much to contain my speed, but maintain it.
“We try to get you not to stop because once you do, it takes a lot of fuel to get you going again. And don’t touch the gears until you’ve decided what you are going to do,” he advised.
Better reading of the road, anticipation and intelligent use of speed also have the intended consequence of making the eco driver a better driver ... and, yes, I did save around 15% on my fuel bill.
