Fuel efficiency put to the test
Deputy features editor Anna Brosnan climbs behind the wheel to try her hand at driving efficiently.
As I climbed into the car I knew the pressure was on.
No, it wasn't my driving test, but it may as well have been. I had been joined in the diesel Ford Focus by Anthony Sale from Millbrook Proving Ground, whose daily work involves 'emissions' testing on cars.
As an expert, he had been roped in by BP Ultimate to hand out hints and tips to residents and businesses in Northampton about how they can save more money and cut their vehicle's carbon output...simply by the way they drive.
And this time around, Anthony was putting me to the test.
Starting from Barrack Road, we took a short drive around Northampton, turning off and driving through Kingsley, Abington and back through town again.
I drove as I normally would, but unlike an ordinary driving test, had little understanding of how my driving could be seen as 'more efficient ' in Anthony's eyes; surely driving habits could not make that much difference, I thought.
Finally, after the drive was completed, he pulled out his laptop and went through my results.
I completed the drive in just under 23 minutes, when Anthony had done the same drive in 17. And, where Anthony had managed to use 57.84 miles per gallon, my milliage was a miniscule 40.94. How embarrassing.
As for CO2 emissions, over 10,000 miles my emissions would have been 2,921 kg, compared to Anthony's 2,067. A big difference.
Between August 4 and 6, Anthony will be helping deliver 'efficient' driving lessons to companies in Northampton has part of BP Ultimate's nationwide Great British Fuel Efficiency Challenge, which supports the Government's Act on CO2 campaign.
He told me that, by changing my driving techniques, I would save up to 323.77 over 10,000 miles of travelling.
Tests on other Northampton residents had revealed they could cut their fuel costs by an average of 272.30 a year by changing their motoring habits.
But how is this done?
It seems that one key area a motorist should watch out for is how they tackle speed humps and roundabouts.
Anthony said: "Stamping on the brakes and then accelerating hard is efficient driving's worst enemy. An efficient driver is a smooth driver.
"With speed humps, people often drive up to them at 30mph, brake hard, take the bump and then accelerate hard away before braking again for the next one. That's disastrous for fuel economy. Try driving along speed humped roads at a steady 15-20mph instead."
He continued: "The roundabouts around Northampton can have a massive effect on fuel consumption too, potentially doubling the fuel used if you brake hard as you approach and then accelerate quickly to get round.
"Try reducing your approach speed, so you minimise braking and accelerating. if you coast more slowly up to the roundabout, keeping the car in gear but taking your foot off the gas, you can often then filter safely into a gap in the traffic, rather than having to stop and start again. It's by far the most efficient way and can reduce the fuel used by up to 50 per cent."
He said it is important that people are gentle on the accelerator.
"The more you stab at the throttle, the more fuel you will use. If you are aggressive on the throttle and accelerate hard, you will use up to three times more fuel."
Another tip, Anthony suggested, is to change gear once the car hits the 2,000 revs mark.
He continued: "Try coasting in gear more often and look that bit further ahead. Very small changes can make that much of a difference.
"There is the potential for every motorist on the road to save fuel in some way or another."
Company managers who want to find out more about signing their employees up to the challenge can log onto
www.gbfuelefficiencychallenge.co.uk
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