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Ecodriving

What is Ecodriving?

Ecodriving is a way of driving that reduces fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and accident rates. Ecodriving is about driving in a style suited to modern engine technology: smart, smooth and safe driving techniques that lead to average fuel savings of 5-10%. Ecodriving offers numerous benefits for drivers of cars, vans, lorries and buses: cost savings and fewer accidents as well as reductions in emissions and noise levels.

Golden Rules of Ecodriving

Ecodriving is easy to learn and it has been shown that written information itself has a substantial impact on driving behaviour, on safety and on fuel consumption without increasing travel time.

There are five basic rules to follow:

• Shift up as soon as possible: shift up between 2.000 and 2.500 revolutions.
• Maintain a steady speed: use the highest gear possible and drive with low engine RPM.
• Anticipate traffic flow: look ahead as far as possible and anticipate to surrounding traffic
• Decelerate smoothly: when you have to slow down or to stop, decelerate smoothly by releasing the accelerator in time, leaving the car in gear.
• Check the tyre pressure frequently: 25% too low tyre pressure increases rolling resistance by 10% and your fuel consumption by 2%.

For more information and additional tips on ecodriving please visit the ECODRIVEN European Project website: http://www.ecodrive.org/

Fuel Efficiency of New Cars

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) issued in 2004 guidelines to provide consumers with relevant information on fuel economy and CO₂ emissions for all makes and models of new passenger cars.

This guide, which also includes driving tips for improved environmental performance, is available at: http://www.simi.ie/admin/files/SIMIemissionguide2004.pdf

Contact

Please contact us for any further information:

Traffic Division, Cork City Council
VHI Buildings, 70 South Mall, Cork
Tel: 021 492 4452
E-mail: traffic@corkcity.ie