EcoDriving scheme to teach economical driving

Toyota has launched the EcoDriving programme to educate drivers in the ways of smarter driving habits.

The Toyota Fund for Europe will organise up to 800 workshops in Spain, Belgium, Iceland, Norway, and the UK - investing almost €300,000 in EcoDriving by 2010.

"EcoDriving does not mean that drivers have to purchase costly devices or modify their vehicles. By making simple changes to every-day driving behaviours, every driver, no matter what kind of vehicle they own, can contribute and benefit," said Graham Smith, Chairman of the Toyota Fund for Europe.

"The European Climate Change Programme has calculated that EcoDriving can realise savings of at least 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in Europe and around €20 billion by 2010."

The programme will target local authorities, private companies and community groups through half-day workshops that cater for up to 15 people.

Under the guidance of trained supervisors, participants will learn new driving practices on specially-designed simulators that recreate the driving experience and test how far drivers can travel on 0.1 litres of fuel.

EcoDriving practices include shifting into a higher gear earlier, looking ahead and anticipating the traffic flow, keeping car windows closed and using the ventilation system.

Additionally, correct tyre pressures can improve fuel economy by around three per cent and removing roof loads to minimise wind drag can realise fuel savings as high as 40 per cent, according to the fund.

Toyota introduced EcoDriving activities to Europe as early as 2006. Since then, the initiative has become part of a wider organisational commitment that involves ‘spreading the word’ to employees, business partners and customers.

For more information and to participate in an EcoDriving workshop in your local community, visit www.ecodriving-online.eu.

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