With backing from the FIA Foundation, the Japanese Automobile Federation (JAF) has published an ‘Eco Drive’ toolkit offering advice and practical tips on how, by adapting their driving style, individuals can actively contribute to reducing vehicle emissions and improving the environment. The toolkit includes a DVD on eco driving techniques, an instructor’s manual and an eco drive course text providing a comprehensive guide on the relationship between actions in driving and fuel consumption.
In Japan, 20% of total CO2 emissions come from transport and of that 90% comes from cars. Private cars alone can be said to account for 10% of Japan’s CO2 emissions. The Eco Drive toolkit demonstrates how, if private cars practice eco driving and achieve a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency, total CO2 emissions in Japan could be reduced by 1%; a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency would result in a 2% reduction in CO2 emissions.
The Eco Drive instructor’s manual outlines various methods to improve a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. For example, in the normal start up of a vehicle, drivers tend to depress the accelerator immediately after releasing the foot from the brake pedal. However, in Eco Drive, by switching slowly from the brake to the accelerator pedal and accelerating slowly, momentary fuel consumption can be improved by as much as 5-6 km/l. Fuel consumption is highest when starting from a complete stop, but this can be improved by accelerating gradually and smoothly.
Other methods for improving vehicle fuel efficiency include maintaining the correct air pressure in tyres. On a motorway, the fuel efficiency declines by about 4.8% when the air pressure is short by 50kpa, a quarter of the correct pressure. The fuel consumption of a car also increases the more weight it is carrying in relation with the acceleration resistance. Unnecessary weight should therefore be removed from the car where possible.
The Eco drive toolkit will be distributed to automobile clubs around the world to encourage more and more drivers to practice fuel efficient driving.