Sweden now requires drivers to learn eco-driving skills
Sweden is one of the leaders (besides Brazil of course) in promoting the use of biofuels, particularly ethanol. The Scandinavian country's latest environmental effort involves trying to address the biggest variable of all, the driver. Since the start of this year, new drivers have been required to learn some techniques that help reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Stockholm driving instructor Lars Rembjer teaches his students techniques like waiting until first gear has been engaged and the parking brake released before cranking up the engine. There are also the obvious things like driving in the highest practical gear and using the engine for braking. Finland and the Netherlands may soon follow Sweden in adding eco-driving to their licensing tests. The beauty of eco-driving is that it can be equally applied to any all vehicles no matter how old or what fuel it runs on. There is no additional cost and the payback is immediate.
[Source: Planet Ark, via The Truth about Cars]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
b33gee 4:31PM (3/11/2008)
Whats this deal with engaging 1st and releasing the park-brake before cranking the engine? How does that help? Also, what if you are parked facing uphill with a fjord at the low end?
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Nicholas 2:15PM (3/12/2008)
LOL dude there are no fjords in Sweden. You´re talking about Norway. Eco-driving has a HUGE impact, our lorry-companies are saving large amounts of money when they implement this technique.
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Andrew 5:54PM (3/12/2008)
@b33gee
Like Nicholas said Norway has a lot of fjords - but that does not have an impact on car driving or fuel economy. However the fact that Norway has a lot of mountains does! Having driven through Sweden it looks totally flat to my Norwegian eyes. Driving in Norway is hard on cars both in terms of wear and tear - and fuel effiency.
Foreign truck drivers from the rest of Europe that come to Scandinavia are totally at a loss how to cope with the ice, snow and the challenging terrain! It's no wonder they end up in the ditches so frequently - and you can bet they waste a lot of fuel as they burn their tires and engines trying to cope going uphill and downhill.
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