This is the first time that research on driving styles has been based on a scientific, statistically representative method of analysis. Rather than collating the subjective opinions of motorists, the eco:Drive application gathered and processed data from engine control units, which provide the most accurate, extensive statistic base available on driving styles and how to improve them.
The research took a sample from among the 10 million trips made by the more than 50 thousand European motorists that use eco:Drive: a free Fiat application – downloaded more than 140 thousand times – which allows the user to collect their driving data via the USB port of the Blue&MeTM system. By analysing this data, the driving style of each motorist can be determined, and they can receive personalised tips on how to efficiently reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
The research’s representative sample consists of more than 400 thousand trips made by more than 5,000 drivers in 5 major European countries (Italy, France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom). The performance of drivers when they started to use eco:Drive was compared with average performance after 30 days (the period of time needed to optimise a new driving style). Every driver was given a score based on four system indicators – acceleration, deceleration, gear shifting and speed – to produce a summary eco:Index: 31% for correct gear shifting, 29% for uniform acceleration, 25% for gradual deceleration of the car and 15% for constant average speed (each value indicates the percentage weight of the item in relation to the driver’s total improvement).
37 billion litres of oil saved
By analysing the results obtained by the best eco:Drivers, it arises that the system allows up to 16% of fuel, carbon dioxide and money to be saved in 30 days, easily and without investments. In effect, a good eco:Driver saves almost 3 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 1,600 euros during the lifecycle of their car – about 7 and a half years.
These results are even more interesting considering that if everyone in Europe followed the example of the best eco:Drivers, the total annual saving would add up to 37 billion litres of oil (corresponding to five times that produced by the largest extraction facility in the world). The carbon dioxide reduction would amount to more than 90 million tonnes and over €50 billion would be saved (more than the total European investment in renewable energy sources last year).
British and German driving syles more energy efficient
The research also indicated a specific “driving culture” for each country: British and German motorists adopt a more regular, smoother driving style than the Italians and Spanish, while the French improved their performance faster and better than the others. On the other hand, all European eco:Drivers obtained real improvements and, above all, the improvement persists over time across Europe. The latter notion is particularly important when considering that over 50% of all eco:Drive users are younger than 35: a new generation of eco-motorists is born. The White Paper also demonstrates improvements in all countries, despite the many obstacles to eco-friendly driving, starting with congestion in major cities.
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