Jalopnik: eco driving

British Driving Test Now Judges Eco-friendly Motoring Aptitude

Andrew Stoy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:40:00 EDT

The nanny state has added one more criteria to their driver licensing tests: Eco-friendly driving skills. The Telegraph reports that the new testing is being implemented to comply with EU regulations, with government officials stating that motorists practicing the eco-friendly driving techniques could see savings of up to a month's worth of fuel over the course of a year. Basically, it's the same thing our automakers are promoting with the help of Ah-nold, except ours isn't mandated or federally funded. Heck, we don't even have driver's ed! While motorists won't fail the test due to poor environmental scores, we figure it's only a matter of time before remote CO2 monitoring stations are around every bend, checking pollution output and photographing the plates of any gross offenders. You've been warned. [Telegraph.co.uk, Image: Getty Images]

Eco-Driving Boosts Mileage By Average Of 24%, According To Ford Tests

Andrew Stoy — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

We looked at ten different ways to boost your mileage — and how they interfere with the "American way of life" — earlier. As proof that these techniques can make a difference, Ford claims internal tests show that practicing eco-driving improves mileage by an average of 24%. Ford and Pro Formance professionals coached 48 Phoenix-area residents for four days, recording mileage improvements between 6% and 50%, depending upon what type of driver the subject originally was and how adept they were at learning the new driving behaviors.

Ford is rightfully touting their research, but they're also being realistic about its applications: The chances of converting even a small fraction of the general public into eco-drivers is slim. Fleet drivers are another matter, however: Since driving is their job, they can be trained and incentivized toward eco-driving. To that end, Ford recently imported several instructors from its German eco-driving training center to help train Ford fleet drivers. Curt Magleby, Ford's director of Governmental Affairs, explains:

We are talking with fleet owners first, because they have large numbers of vehicles and drivers that could realize significant benefit from such training. Ultimately, all drivers can benefit from practicing eco-driving, and one day it may be considered mandatory as part of all new drivers training.

New driver's training? Can someone tell him we don't do things like that over here.

[Green Car Congress]

In Japan, Efficiency Drives You

Wes Siler — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:30:00 EST

Nissan has announced a new eco-driving function for its Japan-only CARWINGS navigation system that looks set to make low fuel consumption a competitive sport. Not only will vehicles equipped with the Eco-Drive and You service be able to display instantaneous and average economy figures and the exact amount of money saved by driving in an eco-friendly manner, but also they'll be able to compare data with other cars in real-time, awarding drivers a numerical rank within classes of vehicle and even medals for top performers. Eco-Drive and You is also capable of providing both visual and audio guidance to drivers on how to drive in a more economical manner. It's been estimated that drivers can experience up to 25% better mileage by driving in an eco-conscious manner. Nissan Japan's press release follows the jump. [Via Treehugger]

NISSAN BRINGS CARWINGS ECO-DRIVING SERVICE ON-BOARD

TOKYO (Feb. 4, 2008) — Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. announced today an additional new service for its popular CARWINGS navigation system. In line with the objectives of the Nissan Green Program 2010 to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions, they will be introducing a new service dubbed "Eco-Drive and You" (Anata mo eco-drive)*1 to promote "eco-driving" habits in Japan.

Since January 2007*2, Nissan CARWINGS members have been provided a range of services which have included fuel-efficiency rankings among owners of the same model and advice on efficient driving methods. The service has now been expanded to provide the same helpful content found online into the onboard navigation system of car owners. To add to driver convenience, the service will also offer voice audio guidance aside from the call-up display found in the dashboard. Car owners can now monitor their fuel consumption habits, experience better fuel-economy as well as enjoy helpful driving tips while on the road.
The service has three main components:

1. Eco-drive check (audio and video display)
* Average fuel consumption with the service*3
* Fuel-consumption trend
* Consumption history and comparison*4

2. Eco-drive ranking (audio and video display)
* Average fuel consumption history
* Ranking among CARWINGS members with the same model.*5
* Fuel expense savings yearly display*6

3. Driving Advice (audio guidance)
* Various topics for the driver which also include tips on better fuel efficiency.

With its aim to reduce harmful greenhouse emissions, Nissan will continue to introduce more eco-friendly products and services under its Nissan Green Program 2010.Current programs include the ITS Project*7, a joint effort with the Kanagawa prefectural government to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce accidents through wireless cellular communication and probe signals, being piloted at Nissan's Technical Center in Atsugi.

*1 Service starts February 1st for Nissan vehicles equipped with the HDD CARWINGS navigation system and March 5th for the DVD system version.

*2 The service garnered numerous awards in 2007 for its Eco-Friendly and Energy Saving features from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transportation, Ministry of Economy, Trade and the Energy Conservation Center in Japan.

*3 Average fuel consumption calculated from data gathered from every eco-drive check performed and transmitted between the car owners' mobile phone and the central system.

*4 Previous two records are displayed to track fuel consumption trend.

*5 Drivers are ranked accordingly to their model group and are given gold, silver and bronze status with the upper 10% classified as platinum class.

*6 Average consumption based on accumulated CARWINGS members consumption data and referenced with data from the Oil Information Center, Institute of Energy Economics in Japan, updated once a month.

*7 Test launched 2006 in Kanagawa Prefecture

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