The AA on green driving

by Jo-ann Hodgson in Your car on 24.07.08

In the first of a new series, the AA’s Luke Bosdet offers his top tips on green driving.

How much money does the average UK driver waste per year by failing to run their car in a fuel-efficient way?

The average UK motorist driving outside a city wastes around 3 miles per gallon, which works out at £3 per tank. People living in built-up areas tend to drive less miles but are hostage to heavier traffic and slower speeds.

What models or specifics of car would you suggest to those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and to cut the costs of driving?

Look at the grams per kilometer of CO2 produced and manufacturer’s fuel consumption figures. These are not 100% accurate but all tests are done on a level playing field so they are a good indication of how much fuel the vehicle will use. Also, an initiative came in two years ago by which new cars in the showroom must carry information based on a colour-coded scale showing how fuel efficient they are. So this is another reliable guide.

How can vehicle maintenance reduce carbon emissions and driving costs?

Maintaining the efficiency of your car engine and following manufacturer’s servicing guidelines properly can help improve fuel consumption. Also, it is important to use the appropriate oils to minimise wear in the engine.
 

What would be your top five eco-driving tips?

• Stick to the speed limit. Motorists who drop to driving at 70mph when they are used to driving at 80mph can save 20p per 10 miles.

• Use a trip computer to track your fuel consumption.

• If you’re taking a long journey, check if there are any hold-ups on the road ahead via the internet, your mobile phone or at service stations and take steps to avoid this.

• Cut down on queuing. Drivers spend around 1 and a half to 2p a minute looking for a parking space. It may be worth parking further out of the town centre or using a park and ride scheme.

• Leave space from the car in front so you can drive smoothly. Regularly breaking and accelerating wastes fuel.

What are the most common avoidable driving behaviors that cost both the environment and motorists?

Racing away and up to roundabouts and junctions and overtaking wastes a lot of fuel. Also, if motorists with two or more cars leave their smaller car at the end of their driveway on a weekend, they are more likely to use this for short trips, rather than a gas guzzler.

What can the Government do to help motorists reduce their carbon emissions and fuel bills, without further increasing the tax burden?

Provide more traffic information along major roads so motorists know what is ahead and can take steps to avoid hold ups.

The Government is also proposing to introduce 20mph zones in residential areas. We are asking them to look carefully at the effect this will have on fuel efficiency. If a 30mph zone is downgraded to a 20mph zone, the CO2 output could increase on more free-flowing roads.

How successful are car-share schemes and is there anything you feel could be done to improve such initiatives?

There are more of them now, but there remains a practical difficulty. Satellite parking at major junctions could be a good idea. For example, if 30 people are all travelling to London for a meeting, they could park their cars just outside the M25 and switch to larger car share vehicles for the rest of the journey.

What do you think prevents motorists from investigating and adopting eco-driving practices?

Living in cities. Drivers are captive to traffic flows in the city, but then again, city drivers tend to drive less than those who live in the suburbs – its swings and roundabouts. Also, job pressure to get into work at a certain time creates rush hours, in which drivers can waste a lot of fuel. As fuel prices increase further, employers may have to listen to cases for staggering work start and finish times and for allowing employees to work from home.

There’s more information on green driving on the AA’s Drive Smart page, as well as on our own eco-driving resource.  

IMAGES by Flickr users Absolutwade, Crinity and Dina Middin