Eco-Driving – A Greener Path for New Zealand’s Roads

Transport accounts for 21 percent of New Zealand’s annual greenhouse gas emissions and is one of five sectors targeted in the country’s first emissions reduction plan. With the number of vehicles on New Zealand roads steadily rising, there’s an urgent need to address this issue, especially if we want to meet New Zealand’s net-zero emission goals. We can all contribute to reducing emissions and saving money through eco-driving.

What is eco-driving?

Eco-driving, or green driving, is a set of driving techniques designed to reduce emissions and minimise the use of fossil fuels. The ‘eco’ in eco-driving stands for ecology and economy, highlighting its dual benefits for the environment and your wallet. According to Mark Whittaker, founder of Ecodriver, driving style can make a difference of as much as 30 per cent in emissions. Whether you’re motivated by saving money or the planet, eco-driving offers tangible advantages that go beyond CO2 emission reductions, including safety and amenity benefits – such as reduced noise.

Eco-driving tips for drivers

Here are some quick eco-driving tips that can help you reduce your carbon footprint and save money:

1. Anticipate: Slow down and avoid harsh braking. Plan ahead and allow enough distance to let your vehicle gently decelerate.
2. Optimise routes: Combine trips when possible and plan your route. Use technology tools to assist with dispatch and routing to minimise idling and reduce the risk of harsh braking.
3. Avoid sudden acceleration: Rapid acceleration consumes more fuel. Gradually increase your speed to save energy.
4. Stick to speed limits: Speed limits enhance safety and reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.
5. Don’t leave the engine running: Avoid leaving your engine running unnecessarily, whether waiting in traffic or making a quick stop.

For those interested in more profound training, SAFEDNZ (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving) offers a driver development course for truck, bus, and coach drivers. This programme aims to improve safe and fuel-efficient driving skills and can reduce fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent.

The benefits of clean transport

Society benefits from clean transport and ecodriving, alongside the business. The benefits of going electric / hybrid can help Australia meet global commitments to achieve positive change. We as a society benefit from leadership in climate action as a nation, there are a number social and economic reasons we should do what we can to improve our eco-driving habits:

1. Stimulates growth and creation of new jobs through innovation as growth increases exponentially
2. Reduced carbon emissions through lower emissions over the time of ownerships
3. Improved air quality and health outcomes with cleaner cars on the road, something that is estimated to contribute to over 1700 deaths per year in Australia
4. Improved energy security with the reduced reliance of imports on overseas fossil fuels and their fluctuating prices
5. New opportunities for automotive and manufacturing industries to create new solutions to support the new systems
6. In cost of ownership, EVs and hybrids are cheaper to operate than traditional petroleum-based vehicles, on average about $8500 for a vehicle's lifetime

Eco-driving tips for fleet managers

Recent Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) research reveals that 61 per cent of people aren’t driving efficiently, wasting fuel when they don’t need to. For vehicle fleet operators looking for cost savings but also with an eye on the environment, telematics can help you to manage route optimisation and improve driver behaviour across your fleet.

Telematics provides invaluable insights into how a business can improve daily routes, reduce fuel costs, and optimise fleet performance. According to a recent Teletrac Navman customer survey, 93 per cent of the businesses surveyed mentioned that their fuel costs have reduced by up to 40 per cent since implementing telematics solutions.

Planning routes might sound simple, but it’s an incredibly complex undertaking. To create the most efficient journey for a single driver with around 20 stops, there can be over 100,000 possible route combinations. It demands an in-depth understanding of your fleet, customers, road networks, and adapting to changing traffic and weather conditions. Teletrac Navman’s Journey Planner application, integrated into TN360, allows businesses to plan specific routes that consider scheduled stops for jobs and waypoints. This thoughtful route optimisation saves time and fuel, reduces operational costs, extends vehicle longevity, and enhances overall efficiency.

Safety data is another critical aspect of eco-driving practices. Fleet managers can remotely assess their drivers’ performance on the road without being physically present in the vehicle. Teletrac Navman’s safety solutions offer real-time safety data, including indicators for harsh braking, acceleration, speeding, cornering, and stop sign violations. In a recent study, Teletrac Navman found that 40 per cent of drivers changed their behaviour after receiving their first safety warning. By using telematics data and continuous monitoring, you can also discover opportunities for improvement, and develop a driver training programme that is personalised and targeted to each driver.

Eco-driving isn’t just a buzzword. These days, it’s a practical approach to reducing emissions, saving money, improving safety and optimising fleet performance. Whether you’re an individual driver or a fleet operator, eco-driving techniques can make a significant difference. By implementing these strategies and leveraging telematics solutions, you can contribute to New Zealand’s emissions reduction goals while benefiting your bottom line.