Factoring driving style into biofuel analysis

Businesses undertaking biofuel analysis to determine the impact on their carbon emissions of a switch to sustainable energy sources might want to consider the driving style of their employees.

Nigel Underdown, head of transport advice at the Energy Saving Trust, says that the organisation's Smarter Driving Programme shows significant effects in terms of the fuel efficiency of motorists.

Those who complete the training course typically save up to 15 per cent of their former petrol or diesel consumption - a figure that could prove influential in companies' biofuel analysis as a complementary factor to switching to low-emission energy sources.

Reduced fuel consumption can be achieved in a number of ways, including greater general road awareness and an anticipatory driving style that avoids sudden or last-minute responses to traffic events.

This means maintaining a steady speed in slow-moving traffic queues, Mr Underdown explains, along with driving at a low rpm in higher gears when travelling at a constant velocity.