SmartEnergy Designline Blog
Instead of green cars should we focus on green driving?
Allan Yogasingam
7/28/2009 3:16 PM EDT
I received an interesting email in my inbox the other day from an organization called Fuel Efficiency Centers. In it were a variety of statistics pointing to the theory that fuel efficiency can be driven not only by a change in technology but a change in driving habits and the introduction of a meter that point out how your driving method can affect your fuel usage.
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With an estimated 196 million licensed drivers who operate more than 220 million non-hybrid vehicles in the US alone, the concept of improving fuel efficiency through changes in our driving habits seems like a very intriguing concept. According to their study, Fuel Efficiency Centers, an understanding of how we're driving can increase fuel savings by over 30% while reducing our carbon output at the same time. With the use of a Fuel Efficiency Adviser (FEA), capable of being used in most vehicles manufactured from 1996, their claim is of a fuel savings for most drivers of 200-300 gallons of fuel per year. According to Fuel Efficiency Centers, each gallon of fuel saved can equate to a reduction of 19.4 lbs of CO2 emission.
It's an interesting concept to say the least. With respect to green and automotive, the focus has been on moving from today's combustion engines to hybrid and electric-based vehicles. However, we often forget to take into account the fact that a large majority of the public will take a long, long time to phase out their current vehicle before even considering the purchase of a hybrid or electric car. A solution like a Fuel Efficiency Adviser, in my opinion, could be a good stop-solution until the 220 million non-hybrid drivers can trade in their car for a more 'earth-friendly" alternative. Personally, the concept of how I drive effecting my fuel use rarely dawns on me during my morning and afternoon commute. If knowing laying off the gas at intersections can save me even $5 of gas a week, I would definitely make that change. I'm curious to see how a fuel management system would change my driving habits.
Heck, if I saw results myself, I know I would beat the drum to make it so all new non-hybrid vehicles sold have a fuel manager installed as a mandatory factory feature!
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BruceD@UPS
7/30/2009 9:06 AM EDT
You're absolutely correcet in that driving habits play an important role in fuel efficiency. For example, something as simple as avoiding left-hand turns conserves fuel and reduces emissions. That's because left turns reduce the amount of time spent idling waiting to turn left. (It's also safer to avoid left turns since it reduces the number of times you turn across oncoming traffic.)
For decades, UPS route planners have designed routes based on a loop of predominantly right-hand turns. Using a system called Package Flow Technology to guide route planning, UPS in 2008 achieved its goal of shaving 100 million miles off delivery routes since 2003. If consumers are diligent about their own driving habits, they too can reduce fuel cost and environmental impact while improving their safety quotient.
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Bellhop
8/13/2009 11:31 AM EDT
I've seen plenty of "lead foots" driving Priuses. What a waste! I get decent mileage in my GM minivan through good driving habits and route planning. Traffic lights and left turns DO make a difference! I actually started in the '70s when I installed a vacuum gauge on my '73 Duster as a learning aid. It was a cheap and simple Bernoulli tube. The FEA is a much advanced version of the vacuum gauge, but probably no better for the dedicated student.
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