The buzzwords 'Smarter Driving' have dominated recent TfL campaigns which show cars 'thinking' about how they'd like to be treated. 'Smarter Driving' refers to how you can drive your car in the most efficient way so every gallon of petrol lasts longer.
It's ways to reduce your carbon footprint if you're used to just getting in your car and stepping on the pedal and can help improve the performance of your car as well as the fuel efficiency. Some people have commented on the last blog post stating they're making changes in their lifestyle because of rising fuel prices and they are enjoying the shift.
Recently, Harrow Council made a welcome announcement that stated they will ensure their drivers would adopt this greener form of driving:
"With the cost of fuel soaring, Harrow Council has introduced a new eco-driving code for its fleet vehicles in a move that could save up to £50,000 a year.
We have just issued our own clean and green version of the Highway Code, to staff who drive a fleet of 187 vehicles ranging from school minibuses to mobile libraries, cars vans and parking enforcement vehicles.
Eco-driving, which covers everything from best average speed for fuel consumption to limiting the use of air conditioning, will also be taught to all new drivers at the Council, as part of our driver induction programme.
Harrow's eight-point plan to going green behind the steering wheel, has been drawn up with the advice of the Energy Trust, the UK's consumer watchdog on energy consumption. The cardinal rules for Council drivers now include:
1. Change gear before your rev counter hits 2,500 rpm in a petrol car, or 2,000 rpm in a diesel car.
2. Reduce fuel consumption by anticipating road conditions and driving smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking.
3. Use air conditioning sparingly as it increases fuel consumption, and at low speeds consider opening the window instead.
4. Start engines more efficiently by driving away immediately. Idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and is not necessary if you drive away gently.
5. Plan routes more effectively avoiding short journeys. Cold engines use almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective.
6. Slow down. The most efficient speed range for most vehicles is 45-50 mph; the faster you go the worse your consumption will be.
7. Plan journeys well to avoid congestion and road traffic.
8. Regularly check tyres to ensure better fuel economy. Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.
We estimate that if the drivers of our vehicles adopt smart-driving techniques we can save up to £50,000 and the carbon footprint of our vehicles can be slashed by around 15%.
If you would like to find out more about what you can do to reduce your own carbon footprint, please take a look at the Energy Saving Trust's website http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/."
Are you driving smarter? Will you try it? Has smarter driving changed your life? Blog it!
It's ways to reduce your carbon footprint if you're used to just getting in your car and stepping on the pedal and can help improve the performance of your car as well as the fuel efficiency. Some people have commented on the last blog post stating they're making changes in their lifestyle because of rising fuel prices and they are enjoying the shift.
Recently, Harrow Council made a welcome announcement that stated they will ensure their drivers would adopt this greener form of driving:
"With the cost of fuel soaring, Harrow Council has introduced a new eco-driving code for its fleet vehicles in a move that could save up to £50,000 a year.
We have just issued our own clean and green version of the Highway Code, to staff who drive a fleet of 187 vehicles ranging from school minibuses to mobile libraries, cars vans and parking enforcement vehicles.
Eco-driving, which covers everything from best average speed for fuel consumption to limiting the use of air conditioning, will also be taught to all new drivers at the Council, as part of our driver induction programme.
Harrow's eight-point plan to going green behind the steering wheel, has been drawn up with the advice of the Energy Trust, the UK's consumer watchdog on energy consumption. The cardinal rules for Council drivers now include:
1. Change gear before your rev counter hits 2,500 rpm in a petrol car, or 2,000 rpm in a diesel car.
2. Reduce fuel consumption by anticipating road conditions and driving smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking.
3. Use air conditioning sparingly as it increases fuel consumption, and at low speeds consider opening the window instead.
4. Start engines more efficiently by driving away immediately. Idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and is not necessary if you drive away gently.
5. Plan routes more effectively avoiding short journeys. Cold engines use almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective.
6. Slow down. The most efficient speed range for most vehicles is 45-50 mph; the faster you go the worse your consumption will be.
7. Plan journeys well to avoid congestion and road traffic.
8. Regularly check tyres to ensure better fuel economy. Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.
We estimate that if the drivers of our vehicles adopt smart-driving techniques we can save up to £50,000 and the carbon footprint of our vehicles can be slashed by around 15%.
If you would like to find out more about what you can do to reduce your own carbon footprint, please take a look at the Energy Saving Trust's website http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/."
Are you driving smarter? Will you try it? Has smarter driving changed your life? Blog it!
10 comments:
very welcome changes. i only hope the mayor's car also adheres to this.
Thank you for this information. I was outraged at the 'spin' put on this in the local press and now realise it was just that - spin.
For those not in Harrow, the local Harrow Times featured an article saying the council was now planning to stop and delay traffic as a result of smarter driving. Instead of highlighting the good of this they chose to assume this meant everyone would be driving slower and things would be a lot worse.
Thanks for the clarification, I hope this is the first of many great green steps to look after our beloved borough.
'local press'? It doesn't exist anymore. Harrow Observer is rubbish and only prints what it wants to, even if that means it has nothing to do with Harrow!
Gone are local issues, news and features and it's all just recycling fuel.
Harrow Times was once great but has faltered severely. It's now either all about the council or well, actually it's all about the council. Local issues no longer exist in the press, they're all just bought.
Thanks, I will now adopt these styles (where relevant) and attempt to do my bit.
I never thought you coudl do something while driving that is good for the world except listen to repenting music and buy a prius. Now I know how I drive can help.
Excellent tips and great for the car too.
I'd like to add to this:
Check your boot every 2-3 days and ensure you're not carrying any unnecessary extra weight. The heavier your car, the more energy is used to run it. So empty the boot from time to time and make sure you're not burning petrol to carry stuff you never need.
If you don't need the radio, turn it off. If you're listening to it, then fine. This saves the battry.
One that gets my goat is people who leave their lights on in the day time. Save your money! Save the bulbs on your car and save energy. Turn them on after dark but before them, let them rest!
Drive when you NEED to, not when you want to.
You'll save money and energy and more!
ever since i've read this and started driving smarter, i feel better about myself and that im doing my car a favour! cheers!
You guys, this is excellent and should be covered in HUGE letters across the local press, shame Harrow's local rags are run by tyrants who serve their own purpose. Shame on you Harrow press for not highlighting this, well done Harrow Council!
I drive smarter now thanks to your advice. I also like your posters at the civic centre. Please keep up the good work and let me know if there is any way I can subscribe to this blog. I'm relatively new to blogs!
Thank you.
PS I love the name BlueMeanie (above comment on this post!)
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