Eco-Driving Technology
Last week, in an experiment some cast aside as a PR stunt, several drivers drove a Ford Focus Hybrid car 1,445 miles, approximately double how far Ford estimated it could go, on a single tank of gas using Eco-Driving techniques. The drivers were well versed in Eco-driving methodology, making the results of the test far less likely to occur in the general public. They averaged just above 20 miles per hour over their 4 day test, which is 3 days, 23 hours, and 58 minutes longer than the average American’s patience driving without speeding.
Eco-driving technology might help keep people from losing patience–and interest.
Nissan unveiled plans in 2008 for an Eco-Pedal, that, among other things, would push back on the driver’s foot during periods of heavy acceleration, not to a point of stopping fast acceleration, but just to a point of reminding lead-foots that they are being, well, lead-footed. The “SmartGauge with EcoGuide” will be available on the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Mercury Milan. Next year, Honda will utilize software in their Honda Insight Hybrid that will grade the driver’s eco-driving, something likely to be quite popular with those who choose to purchase Insights. It’s called Eco Assist.
With Eco-Driving having been proven to consistently reduce fuel usage by drivers (reports of anywhere from 15-50% are fairly normal), this could be a key element to reducing our dependency on foreign oil. Will the U.S. ever go the route of Sweden and Germany and require Eco-Driving techniques be taught in Driver’s Ed?
Scott Cooney (M.S., M.B.A.) is the author of Build a Green Small Business: Profitable Ways to Become an Ecopreneur (McGraw-Hill), and will be writing a feature on how to make money teaching Eco-Driving on Triple Pundit this Friday.
Twitter Scott
Your post says Focus, but it was actually a Fusion that pulled it off. Given the size difference, its an even more impressive feat.
One thing many Americans don’t realize is how important domestic energy is to our country’s economic recovery and overall security. Currently, half of our electricity comes from coal—which happens to be our most abundant fuel resource. In fact, we recently kicked off the America’s Power Factuality Tour—a country-wide road trip in search of the people, places and technologies involved in producing cleaner, domestic electricity from coal. We started in Wright, Wyo., at the Powder River Basin, which produces more coal than any other site in the U.S. Take the tour for yourself and see our most abundant domestic fuel at work. factuality.org
I think its funny that the post picture is from a Honda.. you can see the logo on the steering wheel.