Company News from yesinsurance
27 November 2007 Drivers Waste £395 On Fuel Says Insurer
Drivers in the UK are wasting an average of £375 a year on fuel and emitting an extra 1 tonne of CO2 into the atmosphere through inefficient driving, according to a statement issued today by car insurer yesinsurance.co.uk.
With petrol now having passed the £1 a litre barrier, the insurer says that the average motorist driving an annual total of 10,000 miles will be paying around £1,500 on fuel next year, whilst emitting between 2.5 and 4 tonnes of CO2.
“Drivers can reduce their contribution to global warming and cut their fuel bill through simple alterations to their driving style,” said Paul Purdy of yesinsurance.co.uk.
“Avoiding fast acceleration, controlling speed and completing simple maintenance tasks such as checking tyre pressures and cleaning filters, can help to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1 tonne a year and save up to 25% on fuel,” he said.
Latest figures from Defra show that 120 million tonnes of CO2 were emitted by road transport in 2005, representing 22% of the UK’s total emissions of 556 million tonnes. Defra describes CO2 as the main greenhouse gas, accounting for 85% of the UK’s ‘basket’ of greenhouse gases in 2005.
Department of Transport statistics show that there were around 30 million private vehicles on the UK’s roads last year.
In a bid to help drivers cut their fuel bills and environmental impact, the insurer has produced a 10-point plan which is available on its website at yesinsurance.co.uk. The points are:
1. Speed: Smooth driving at a sensible speed is the best way to keep emissions and expenditure to a minimum. Driving at 70mph can cost up to 25% more than driving at 50mph. Avoid fast acceleration and heavy braking, both of which use more fuel.
2. Air conditioning: Air conditioning increases fuel consumption by around 10%, so it is usually more efficient to open a window. However, at higher speeds of 50mph and above, the additional drag caused by having the window open begins to approach the cost of using the aircon.
3. Tyres: Under-inflated tyres waste fuel, adding maybe 2% to your fuel bill.
4. Filters: Dirty air filters can dramatically reduce fuel economy, and they can also make you fail a roadside emissions test. They are usually very easy to change, either by yourself or your garage.
5. Weight: Every extra 50kg of weight can increase your fuel costs by around 2%, so avoid driving around with unnecessary items in your car.
6. Friction: Roof racks, spoilers and anything else that increases drag on the outside of your car can dramatically increase the amount of fuel you use. Take the roof rack off when you are not using it.
7. Switch off: If you are going to be stationary for more than two minutes, switch off the engine rather than waste fuel.
8. Recycle: Batteries and oil can be recycled at your local household waste disposal centre.
9. Plan: Plan your trip before you leave home, paying attention to both the route and timing of your trip. yesinsurance.co.uk estimates that around 350,000 tonnes of fuel is wasted every year by drivers who get lost.
10. Don’t drive: Don’t use the car for short journeys; take a walk and keep fit! Similarly, public transport can often be an easier and more cost-effective way of travelling, and you don’t have to worry about parking.
“World oil prices are now at their highest ever level, at almost 100 dollars a barrel, and at the pump the price has broken the £1 a litre barrier,” says Paul Purdy.
“Both environmental damage and the rising cost of fuel are of concern to today’s motorists, and they have an even greater impact on the future we are handing over to our children’s generation,” he said.
Yesinsurance.co.uk provides motor insurance for cars and vans, and is particularly competitive for vehicles that are over five years old, which account for 60% of all vehicles currently on the UK’s roads. Insurance is available online at yesinsurance.co.uk,
