What is Eco-driving?

Ecodrive.org states that eco-driving means smarter and more fuel-efficient driving. 

The website further shared "Golden Rules of Eco-driving" as follows:

1. Anticipate Traffic Flow

Read the road as far ahead as possible and anticipate the flow of traffic. Act instead of react – increase your scope of action with an appropriate distance between vehicles to use momentum (an increased safety distance equivalent of about 3 seconds to the car in front optimises the options to balance speed fluctuations in traffic flow – enabling steady driving with constant speed).

 2. Maintain a steady speed at low RPM

Drive smoothly, using the highest possible gear at low RPM.

 3. Shift up early

Shift to higher gear at approximately 2.000 RPM.

Consider the traffic situation, safety needs and vehicle specifics.

 4. Check tyre pressures frequently at least once a month and before driving at high speed

Keep tyres properly inflated as low tyre pressure is a safety risk and wastes fuel. For correct tyre pressure (acc. To loading, highest pressure and speed driven), check with car’s manual. 

 5. Consider any extra energy required costs fuel and money

Use air conditioning and electrical equipment wisely and switch it off if not needed. Electrical energy is converted from extra fuel burnt in a combustion engine, so electrical equipment doesn’t work “for free” – it always costs extra energy and money.

Avoid dead weight and aerodynamic drag.

The benefits from eco-driving are cited as follows:

Safety

• Improve road safety  
• Enhance driving skills

Environmental

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) 
• Fewer local air pollutants
• Noise reduction

Financial

• Save fuel / money (5-15% in the long-term) 
• Lower vehicle maintenance costs
• Reduce costs of accidents

Social

• More responsible driving
• Less stress while driving
• Higher comfort for drivers and passengers

The Department of Energy, together with the University of the Philippines National Engineering Center, have conducted short lecture on eco-driving in UP Diliman this 2013. Wouldn't it be great also if you could practice eco-driving? More articles and tips about this topic will be shared in the next posts.