Greener driving, fuller pockets: How the way you drive can make your car more efficient

Efficient driving isn’t just for those focused on being eco-friendly; it’s becoming a necessity for us all. With fuel costs and environmental concerns rising, we need to be more mindful of not just what we drive, but how we drive it — our wallets and the planet will thank us. We should all strive to drive more efficiently, but what exactly is it and how can it save us money while helping the environment?

At its core, efficient driving is all about maximizing fuel efficiency while minimizing emissions and wear-and-tear on your vehicle. It's a mindset and a set of techniques that can help you get more mileage (or kilometers) out of every gallon/liter of gas. By adopting simple practices like avoiding aggressive acceleration and braking, maintaining a steady speed and minimizing idling time, you can dramatically improve your fuel economy. For those really keen on efficient driving, there’s hypermiling — a practice where drivers go to great lengths, even modifying their vehicles, to squeeze every mile out of their vehicle. In fact, some hypermilers have been known to make aerodynamic adjustments, use special tires and employ advanced driving techniques to push their vehicles to peak efficiency.

Research by the European Commission shows that driving conditions and behavior significantly impact fuel consumption and emissions. Urban driving, with frequent stops and starts, can increase fuel consumption by up to 75% compared to steady-speed driving on highways. Moreover, adopting eco-driving techniques in urban areas can reduce fuel consumption by 10-20%, highlighting the importance of adapting your driving behavior to specific environments.

No matter the environment, aggressive driving habits always negatively impact driving efficiency. Driving too fast, accelerating too hard and braking late and hard can lower gas mileage by 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.

Let’s break these habits down further. Considering speed alone, the relationship between speed and efficiency is quite simple. Generally speaking, driving at higher speeds increases aerodynamic drag and increases fuel consumption, reducing economy. For instance, reducing speed from 80 mph (129 kph) to 70 mph (113 kph) can save as much as 25% on fuel, with an additional 10% saved by further reducing speed to 60 mph (97 kph).

Next, consider how you accelerate and brake. Rapid acceleration and hard braking are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to poor fuel economy. Smooth, gradual acceleration uses less fuel, and anticipating traffic to avoid sudden stops helps maintain momentum, which is key to efficient driving. Harsh acceleration and braking not only wastes fuel but also increase wear and tear on your vehicle, leading to higher maintenance costs, it wears out tires and brake components far quicker than smooth, progressive driving.

Idling is another behavior to avoid if you’re looking for efficiency gains. According to data from the Ravalli County Environmental Health Department, idling for just 10 seconds uses more fuel than stopping and restarting your engine. Over time, idling can waste up to half a gallon (1.9 liters) of fuel per hour, leading to increased costs and unnecessary carbon dioxide emissions. Many drivers mistakenly believe that idling to warm up the car helps fuel economy, but it actually uses more fuel and creates more pollution, contributing to the leading greenhouse gas.

Not all about the money

According to a report by Drivetech, a provider of driver training and fleet risk management, improving driving behavior can reduce fuel consumption by up to 25%, translating into significant savings. For example, a driver covering 12,000 miles (19,312 kilometers) annually could save approximately £300-£400 per year just by adopting more efficient driving habits.

But efficient driving goes beyond just saving money at the pump. It’s also about reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to sustainability. For instance, a report by CE Delft, an independent research organization specializing in environmental policy, shows that reducing speed limits from 120 km/h to 100 km/h on highways can decrease CO2 emissions by 15%. In urban areas, where stop-and-go traffic is common, slowing down can reduce emissions even further, with potential reductions of up to 25%.

Credit, TNO data, adapted by CE Delft, https://cedelft.eu/publications/why-slower-is-better/
Another study conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that if every American driver practiced efficient driving techniques, the nation could save over 1.1 billion gallons of fuel annually. This reduction in fuel consumption would lead to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 10 million metric tons, which is equivalent to taking approximately 2 million cars off the road each year.

Additionally, efficient driving can improve air quality, particularly in urban areas where vehicle emissions are a major source of pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), adopting eco-driving habits can reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by up to 30% and particulate matter (PM) by up to 20%. These reductions are crucial in urban areas where transportation is one of the largest sources of air pollutants. By driving more efficiently, you can significantly reduce these harmful emissions, contributing to cleaner air and healthier communities.

So, what can we do about it? It should be obvious by now that adjusting how we drive can have a big impact on efficiency, but there are also vehicle technologies and vehicles themselves that can help us on the path toward ultra-efficient motoring.

What can we do as individuals?

We spoke to several experienced TomTom drivers to find out what we can do as individuals to drive more efficiently.

Take Joe for example, he has driven by car for over 20 years and emphasizes the importance of smooth throttle inputs and reading the road ahead to anticipate stops. He recalls driving from London to Madrid on a single tank of diesel by carefully planning the route and using techniques like avoiding heavy braking and maintaining an efficient speed. His approach saved not just fuel but also reduced wear on his vehicle and is a great demonstration of how small adjustments can lead to significant benefits.

Joe highlights the importance of smooth and small throttle inputs, especially in higher gears. He notes that operating the engine at its most efficient RPM range—typically around 1,400-1,600 RPM for modern turbo diesel engines—can make a substantial difference in fuel consumption. Joe’s techniques, including reading the road ahead to anticipate traffic flow, have helped him achieve remarkable fuel efficiency on long-distance trips.

Joe Achilles, sponsored TomTom driver.
Regular vehicle maintenance is also crucial for optimal fuel efficiency. Keeping tires properly inflated, performing timely oil changes and ensuring that the air filter is clean can all contribute to better fuel economy. A well-maintained vehicle not only runs more efficiently but also lasts longer.

Iwona, one of TomTom’s sponsored truck drivers, also highlights the importance of optimizing your driving style to reduce fuel consumption. She says that regularly checking tire pressure, setting cruise control slightly below the maximum speed limit, and avoiding abrupt braking have significantly improved her fuel economy and reduced vehicle wear. She points out that these small habits make a big difference in the long run, not just in terms of saving fuel but also in extending the life of the vehicle.

Iwona Blecharczyk, sponsored TomTom driver.
Planning your journeys can also contribute to more efficient driving. Using navigation systems to find the most fuel-efficient routes, avoid congested areas and time your trips to avoid peak traffic can all help reduce fuel consumption.

Allison and Nick, who live on the road full-time in their campervan, emphasize the importance of strategic planning. Before heading to their next location, they use satellite view to determine routes with minimal elevation changes and less congestion. This approach not only helps them save fuel but also reduces the strain on their vehicle, allowing them to maintain consistent fuel efficiency even in challenging terrains like the Colorado’s Rockies.

Allison Bracken and Nick Bracken, sponsored TomTom drivers.
Avoiding extra weight in your vehicle will also save you some extra bucks and pollution. Extra weight in the vehicle makes the engine work harder, increasing fuel consumption. Reducing the vehicle’s weight by 50 kg can save approximately $520 for cars and $650 for trucks over a distance of 200,000 km.

Credit, TNO data, adapted by CE Delft, https://cedelft.eu/publications/why-slower-is-better/
Allison and Nick are particularly mindful of their vehicle’s weight. They keep their water tanks empty until they reach their destination, reducing their vehicle’s weight by over 1,300 lbs (590 kg). This careful management of weight not only improves their fuel efficiency but also makes driving safer and more manageable, especially on long trips.

The role of technology in promoting efficient driving

In pursuit of sustainability, modern vehicles also come equipped with advanced technologies designed to promote efficient driving. One such innovation is Toyota’s Predictive Efficient Drive, which uses real-time data and historical driving patterns to optimize fuel use. This system predicts upcoming road conditions, such as inclines, declines and traffic congestion and adjusts driving parameters like throttle response and regenerative braking accordingly. By doing so, it helps drivers maintain efficient driving habits effortlessly, making sure that the vehicle operates at peak efficiency in various driving scenarios.

Cars and drivers that use instantaneous fuel consumption gauges tend to drive more efficiently too. One study found that vehicles equipped with live fuel economy meters achieved on average 3% lower fuel consumption compared to non-equipped vehicles. While this difference was not statistically significant, it highlights the potential impact of such feedback systems. Perhaps we should all default to using them?

Telematics systems provide real-time feedback on driving behavior, helping drivers understand how their actions impact fuel consumption. These systems can monitor speed, acceleration and braking patterns, providing actionable insights to improve driving efficiency in real-time. Many fleets are now integrating telematics data into their route optimization software to support their drivers to drive more efficiently. For instance, United Parcel Service (UPS) uses this approach to determine the best delivery routes for its vehicles.

ADAS technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, maps and lane-keeping assist, can also contribute to efficient driving by maintaining a steady speed and ensuring smooth vehicle operation. These technologies not only make driving easier and safer but also ensure that vehicles operate in the most fuel-efficient manner possible.

Allison and Nick have found technology to be a game-changer in driving efficiency. They use cruise control on flat terrains to maintain a steady speed, which significantly boosts their fuel economy. Additionally, they rely on the TomTom Go navigation app to avoid unpaved roads, heavy traffic and construction, allowing them to plan their routes more efficiently and avoid unnecessary fuel consumption.

What is the role of EVs in driving efficiency?

We can’t write about driving more efficiently to reduce pollution, emissions and make cost savings without mentioning EVs. Electric vehicles (EVs) are inherently more efficient than their internal combustion engine counterparts. They convert a higher percentage of energy from the battery to the wheels. Additionally, regenerative braking systems in EVs recapture energy that would otherwise be lost during braking, further enhancing their overall energy efficiency.

The growing network of fast-charging stations across Europe and other regions is making EVs more practical for long-distance travel. Rapid advancements in battery technology are extending the range of EVs, reducing range anxiety and making them a viable option for more drivers.

A study by Paweł Albrechtowicz, Assistant Professor at Cracow University of Technology, Poland, on the environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs), found that EVs can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% compared to traditional vehicles. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing the local environmental impact of driving. As the electricity grid becomes greener, with more renewable energy sources, the overall carbon footprint of EVs continues to decrease, making them an even more attractive option for environmentally conscious drivers.

Drive green, save green

Efficient driving is a crucial component of sustainable transportation. By understanding and modifying our driving behaviors, we can save fuel, reduce emissions and contribute to a healthier environment. The advancements in technology, particularly in the realm of electric vehicles and predictive driving systems, are paving an easy route toward a more efficient future on the road. As we move forward, it’s obvious that how we drive today will influence the transportation of tomorrow. By adopting these practices and staying informed about new technologies, we can all play a part in driving towards a greener, more efficient future.