Reducing the environmental impact of a vehicle
Eco-driver training provides dividends to the company and the environment
With environmental pollution becoming an ever increasing issue, and one that Local Authorities have a legal obligation to monitor and reduce, it is not surprising that many such authorities are looking at every opportunity for vehicles to improve their environmental impact.
Just one issue that would make a significant difference is for all HGV drivers to undertake Eco-Driver Training. Now before jumping to the conclusion that this is just another cross to carry in the cause for the environment those whose responsibility is for the cost effective running of vehicles should be permitted to look at this training in a different, and OK, perhaps a slightly selfish way!
The whole idea of eco-driving is to save on fuel consumption to reduce impact on the environment but as fuel is a significant cost, any reduction through eco-driving represents a saving to the operation of the vehicle. From the management accountants point of view this style of driving improves profitability! So we really ought to take Eco-Driver Training seriously, as it will benefit the environment by reducing CO2 and benefit the business or Local Authority by reducing costs.
Eco-driving is not an overly brain straining exercise and many would even say it’s simply common sense. But when you have clients waiting, schedules to keep or drivers hours to worry about it requires good training to think about even some actions.
Subsidised eco-driver training
As a carrot subsidised training is available for all business drivers from the Energy Saving Trust https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/service/subsidised-ecodriving-training/
The Trust expects immediate results, with eco-driving training delivering an average fuel saving of 15% on the day of training and up to 6% in the long term for fleets. More than 85,000 drivers have been trained since 2008.
So what is eco-driving? Here we provide the briefest of summaries of some of the key issues an eco-driver will take into account:
Checking tyres
Under inflated tyres increase resistance, meaning the engine has to work harder. More fuel is consumed and more CO2 emissions are produced. By checking tyre pressures regularly and eco-driver will save fuel and increase the life of the vehicles tyres. Great for the environment.
Use high gears
Rather obvious but using higher gears keeps engine rev’s down and thus saves fuel and lower fuel consumption is good for the pocket and the environment.
Maintaining a steady speed and distance
All too many drivers have a tendency to accelerate too often only to increase the need for constant braking and this increases fuel consumption over a steady continuous speed. This is particularly relevant to those drivers who drive too close to the vehicles in front of them.
So an eco-driver keeps to a steady speed and maintains a good distance from other road users.
Unnecessary loads
Driving around with unnecessary loads on the vehicle means extra unnecessary weight the engine has to move around. Minimising a load will reduce the engines workload. By removing it you will save on fuel and produce less CO2 emissions and help the environment.
Obey speed restrictions
Driving too fast burns more fuel. Maintaining speed limits will again reduce fuel consumption.
Heavy braking
Stopping and starting in traffic uses more fuel. Look well ahead and assess the traffic. Slow down by lifting off the accelerator early while keeping the vehicle in gear. By the time one comes to the vehicle in front it may have started moving again saving you wear and tear on your brakes and reducing fuel consumption.
Over revving
Keeping the vehicle in the same gear for too long whilst accelerating will increase fuel consumption. Gears need to be used wisely as keeping the vehicle in the same gear for too long whilst accelerating will increase fuel consumption. Using the gears smoothly improves fuel consumption, and if you haven’t got it by now…this helps the environment.
Air conditioning
Using air conditioning consumes fuel. Whilst driving around built up areas it is better to turn the air con off and open the windows. On the other hand when driving at speed open windows cause significant drag, so closed windows and using air con is more environmentally efficient.
Minimise the use of electrics
Any electrics you have on in the cab or the vehicle as a whole increases fuel consumption. Eco Driver training encourages the driver to be aware of this and turn off the head lights, side lights, demister, heater, radio etc. when they’re not needed.
Let us know if we can be of any more assistance as we value our after sales support service and are more than happy to provide assistance and advice once our vehicles have left the factory. https://www.multivehicletechnology.co.uk/services/after-sales-support/
