Eco-Driving

Driving behaviour can considerably influence the vehicle's fuel consumption. Driver training can deliver substantial fuel savings for heavy vehicle drivers by teaching them how to drive more efficiently.

Eco-Driving describes the application of techniques reducing fuel consumption and emissions affected by the driver's behaviour, without necessarily upgrading the vehicle's technology. Techniques include:

• Accelerating smoothly
• Maintaining a consistent speed
• Avoiding idling
• Using cruise control
• Keeping tires properly inflated
• Regular maintenance

Benefits:

• Eco-driving has seen improvements in fuel consumption, showing savings of 10-27%²²
• It also promotes safety by reducing driver fatigue and improving reaction time and vehicle control, improving safety for other vehicles on the road
• Eco-Driving can generate greater savings when monitored and improved with the help of Telematics.

Typical uses:

Light and Heavy vehicles, truck fleets, buses etc.

Operational considerations:

• It is conditional to traffic, vehicle speed, road conditions and load on the vehicle.
• Training the drivers and monitoring driving behaviours may have an additional financial impact on operations.
• The efficiency improvements and techniques are not consistent across different vehicles.
• Despite this, large companies have shown that small driving changes can greatly impact fuel efficiency and the environment.

²² Eco-Driving and Its Impacts on Fuel Efficiency: An Overview of Technologies and Data-Driven Methods, Sustainability, Eco-Driving and Its Impacts on Fuel Efficiency: An Overview of Technologies and Data-Driven Methods (mdpi.com), https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/1/226.