High Efficiency Driving

Free Ways to Save Fuel and Money While Limiting Pollution and Road Rage

The first few times I turned my car off in traffic, it felt a little weird. Scary even. As I grew accustomed to it, it became more natural, and it felt like the people who were not turning off their cars at stop lights were the oddballs. After all, they were the ones with their engines running, spewing out harmful exhaust for no reason. Their cars just sat there motionless, wasting fuel.

While turning off a vehicle instead of idling will save a small amount of fuel, there are easier ways to save more! The vast majority of fuel consumption can be attributed to accelerating a vehicle up to speed. The less often people stomp on the accelerator or break, the more a person can save. What I suggest is a shift in driving style, in which a person coasts a considerable amount of time, and slowly brakes far in advance. In an average vehicle, every bit of speed and energy is simply discarded when braking, along with that sizable proportion of fuel cost. Even in modern Hybrids (HEVs) which have regenerative breaking, it is simply not possible to recover all of the energy lost to braking.

While accelerating, slowing down, and suddenly stopping cannot be completely avoided, they can be reduced dramatically. Incorporate this with smart non-idling techniques, and it is simple to dramatically lower fuel cost and pollution by 15-30%. Additionally, more conservative driving lowers blood pressure while making driving safer and more enjoyable!

Specific Techniques to Try:

Plan adequate time to reach your destination – many people who rush to reach their destinations do not make it there significantly earlier, but use more fuel, create more pollution, and create unsafe situations in the meantime.

Looking ahead – become more aware of traffic conditions, surrounding vehicles, crosswalks, intersections, and lights. During rush hour traffic, the most aggressive and the most sedate driver will arrive at their destination only a few car lengths apart – why not relax, take it easy, save some fuel, money, and pollution?

Leaving extra space – As extra space is given to the to the vehicle ahead, it becomes easier to follow the techniques below. Driving becomes a game of “how efficiently can I get there?” rather than “that car better not cut me off!”

Gradual acceleration to speed – When a vehicle is gradually accelerated up to speed, fuel is saved, and less pollution is created. Gradual acceleration and speed = less energy & fuel. Fast acceleration and speed = more energy & fuel. It is just that simple.

Watch extra traffic signals – On a block-by-block basis, look ahead to the next traffic lights and cross walk signals. Flashing “Do Not Walk” or “red hand” signals typically indicate less than 10-15 seconds before the light will change.

Braking in advance & coasting – Once familiar with watching extra traffic signals (above), it is possible to slow down when further away, before the light even turns yellow. This in turn gives a better chance of keeping the vehicle slowly moving when the light turns green again. Just think, “If I keep my wheels turning, I save money. If my wheels stop, I lose.”

Non-idling – When a person is parked at the side of the road, or knows that a particular intersection takes a while before turning to a green light, it is possible to save by turning off the engine (while in neutral and breaking). This requires extra attention to the lights (or opposing lights) and vehicles ahead to know when to start the vehicle. If idling for more than 10 seconds, it is more efficient to turn a vehicle off and start it again. Some cities are now issuing fines for vehicles idling while parked. Please check to ensure compliance with local laws, and safe vehicle operating procedures.


Of course all of this assumes that there is a true need to be driving in the first place. There are plenty of options which can reduce costs, pollution, and increase quality of life, including: telecommuting, walking, biking, public transit, carpooling, or even moving to a more central location. For instance, in 2006 I moved to a new neighbourhood – desiring a nicer and more central place. Little did I realize how seldom I would have to use my car. Grocery shopping, pharmacies, restaurants, parks, and transit are all within a few blocks walk. I can get to the vast majority of places I need or desire to go within a 15 minute walk, ride, or bus. Two years ago I would not have fathomed giving up my car – now it has been off the road for more than 6 months!


About the author:
Jay Armstrong is the president and lead consultant of unityblue energy insight, an independent consulting firm based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. unityblue energy insight teams up with strategy & planning consultancies and non-profits to discover, launch, & implement energy and emission reduction opportunities for all levels of government and large businesses. He is involved in technology business consulting, advising, research, education, project management, and is an active Director with the BC Sustainable Energy Association.

This story is the personal opinion of Jay Armstrong, and does not reflect the views of unityblue or their clients, or any organization of which he is a member. No warrantees are expressed or implied.