UK drivers waste £700 million a year
12/05/2015
Motorists who leave their engine running and are heavy on the accelerator are collectively losing £700 million a year, new research from Barclaycard Fuel+ has shown.
The report has shown that the average driver could save £84 a year by driving more economically; making sure the car is in the right gear and not speeding.
The survey showed that one in three UK drivers do not use any kind of “eco-driving” techniques at all when on the road, a move that could be costing them money. Older drivers are most likely to ignore the techniques, with 55 per cent of those aged over 65 and more than four out of ten of those aged between 44 and 64 admitting that they don’t drive in ways that might save fuel.
Young drivers are the most eco-savvy, with those aged between 17-24 years most likely to adopt fuel-efficient techniques when they get behind the wheel.
Barclaycard fuel+ found that the biggest fuel wasting habit in the UK was using the clutch and revving the engine at red lights or in traffic jams instead of using the handbrake to stabilise the vehicle. This was followed by keeping the engine running when not necessary and those who use air conditioning in their cars.
Barclaycard executive John Bostock said:
‘With such a huge amount of money wasted on fuel, we would benefit massively as a nation if we were more mindful when it comes to driving in a more eco-friendly way. We keep a close eye on our grocery spending, so shouldn’t we do the same here.’
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