Top 10 Eco Driving Tips

With the cost of fuel rising by a massive 50% since January 2021* and vehicle emissions a major contributor to climate risk, drivers can use their skills to save a ton of money and reduce harmful CO2 emissions by 200 kilogrammes** or more each year.

So join the national effort to cut CO2 by 50% before 2030 and with just four colleagues, you can help SAVE A TONNE of CO2 in a year!

We can all do our bit to improve sustainability, so here are our Top 10 Eco Driving Tips for 2022:

1. SMOOTH driving is best. Anticipate flow by reading the road ahead. Leave a good gap so you avoid harsh braking and acceleration

2. STEP-OFF - stay in gear, use a lighter right foot and step-off the accelerator completely when slowing down or driving downhill

3. SHIFT-UP - when accelerating, choose a higher gear early - typically before 2,000 revs for diesel and 2,500 revs for petrol engines

4. SLOW-DOWN - air resistance at higher speed uses up to 30% more fuel, so aim for a steady 100kmh instead of 120kmh and save 20%

5. SWITCH-OFF - avoid idling for more than 10 seconds. This and stop-start tech also reduce pollutants such as NOx

6. SPARE the air conditioning - vehicles fitted with a/c typically use 5% more fuel than those without over the course of a year

7. STREAMLINE - reduce wind drag by closing windows - over 50kmh - and avoid roof racks which affect a vehicle’s aerodynamics

8. SLIM-DOWN - any dead weight increases fuel consumption so only carry what you need in your vehicle

9. SERVICE your tyres - underinflation adds 2% to fuel use and 62% of cars have at least one flat tyre, so check yours monthly

10. STATS - monitor your fuel consumption in litres per 100 kms using your vehicle trip computer or fuelcard and odometer.

Lastly, a very important bonus to sustainable driving is your safety. Contrary to what you might expect, almost all crashes are preventable so choose to drive calmly and you’ll arrive safely and a lot less stressed.

Sources:

* €1.21 per litre of diesel in January 2021 and €1.85 per litre in March 2022

** 2.75 tonnes of CO2 per annum for average car and sustained reduction of 7.5% where eco driving practiced

Authentic Energy Management: “How to save fuel with the car you have now”

Energy Savings Trust: “Advising fuel efficient driving techniques for your fleet”

European Environment Agency: “Do lower speeds on motorways reduce fuel consumption…”

Irish Independent: “Facing up to the reality of our cars emitting 2.75 tonnes of CO2 every year”

RTE: “No traffic on the roads means carbon emissions have plummeted”

SEAI: “Tips to save fuel, money and emissions…”

Related services:

ALLY - an app-based “virtual coach” that allows drivers self-monitor and improve their eco driving style

AVERT - is for SMEs who want to reduce CO2 emissions and obtain sustainable, low-cost motor insurance

ECOFleet - is a reward scheme for businesses who reduce their fuel use and CO2