EcoDriving is economic driving supported by data from devices installed in vehicles. These devices register the fuel level, fuel consumption on the route, as well as events such as refuelling or sudden fuel losses. Thanks to this, the fleet sees not only the result “how much fuel does the car use”, but also the driver’s driving style: the degree of pressing the accelerator, engine speed range, driving in lower gears or using the highest gear.

The goal is to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining driving comfort and caring for the safety of all road users on public roads. The golden rules of eco driving apply regardless of the powertrain: electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids and conventional internal combustion engine cars.

EcoDriving and eco driving training – driving techniques in practice

Eco driving training has a direct and measurable impact on reducing operating costs of the fleet, because it shapes habits that allow drivers to drive more smoothly, anticipate situations on the road ahead and use the drivetrain in an energy efficient way.

After just a few hours of practical driving training, most participants start to reduce harsh acceleration, maintain a more steady speed and make better use of engine braking and earlier release of the accelerator before junctions.

What is important, EcoDriving works best when training is combined with analysis of data (for example telematics or fuel reports), so that drivers see the real effects of their behaviour and more quickly consolidate new driving techniques and standards of efficient driving.

Eco driving tools for fuel control: fuel consumption, refuelling, irregularities – economic driving in a company car

Fuel control modules in fleet systems should:

• measure fuel consumption on each route (A→B),
• automatically detect refuelling (a sudden increase in litres in the tank without kilometres driven),
• signal sudden drops in fuel level – possible leaks or fuel being drained,
• allow you to mark and report excessive fuel use compared to the accepted norm.

Thanks to this, the fleet manager quickly identifies vehicles and routes with increased fuel consumption, optimises fuel costs and can minimise consumption in the entire vehicle fleet.

Eco driving initiatives: comparisons between drivers, cars and routes

Reporting panels should make it possible to create comparisons:

• driver to driver – who drives most economically,
• car to car – different models and gearboxes (including automatic ones),
• route to route and comparisons between periods – seasonality and the influence of conditions.

Such comparisons make it possible to define company eco driving initiatives and rules, set realistic norms for fuel consumption and reward improvement in driving style.

Eco driving vs Safe driving – eco driving tools for alerts

In fleet systems we distinguish two types of notifications:

• EcoDriving (fuel): alerts about above-norm fuel consumption, driving at high revs (for example above 6,000 rpm), long periods with the accelerator close to 100% or too frequent idling.
• Safe Driving (technique and safety): alerts about harsh acceleration, sudden braking, aggressive manoeuvres, speeding and overuse of the brake instead of engine braking.

In web panels, the manager independently sets thresholds and fills in the required fields (for example fuel limits, rev ranges), keeping full control over which events trigger a notification.

Efficient driving – golden rules of eco driving in practice (basics)

• Route planning – avoid traffic jams and unnecessary detours; smooth traffic flow means lower fuel consumption and fewer sudden brakings.
• Maintaining steady speed – use cruise control where possible; smooth, fuel efficient driving reduces wear and improves comfort.
• Engine braking – release the accelerator earlier; this saves the brake system and reduces exhaust emissions.
• Gear changes – shift up to the highest gear quickly at low rpm; avoid driving for long in low gears at higher speeds.
• Gearbox – in automatic gearboxes use Eco modes; do not force frequent downshifts.
• Tyre pressures – check them regularly; under inflated tyres increase fuel consumption.
• Technical condition – take care of the air filter, oil, spark plugs and overall vehicle maintenance; poor technical condition raises fuel use and energy consumption.
• Stops – switch off the engine during longer stationary periods; “warming up the car” at idle for more than a minute does not make sense – warm it up while driving.
• Anticipation – look far ahead, anticipate traffic light changes and other drivers’ behaviour.
• Driving technique – smooth work with clutch, accelerator and brakes is the essence of efficient driving and economic driving.

These rules are consistent with training programmes for a driving licence and support safe driving on public roads in the transport sector.

Eco driving and trucks – economic driving with a heavy vehicle

In heavy vehicles (trucks, combinations), torque and load weight are crucial. Recommendations:

• maintain a steady pace at the most appropriate speed,
• use retarders and engine braking on descents,
• plan climbs – downshift earlier so as not to “strangle” the engine,
• avoid long operation in first gear and prolonged full throttle.

Such driving style genuinely helps to save fuel and protect components of the drivetrain and brakes in long journeys and everyday transport operations.

Eco driving tools and data from the vehicle – how the system sees driving style

Devices installed in the car – telematics units or the on board computer – show, among other things:

• the degree of pressing the accelerator (percentage and time above the threshold),
• engine revs (for example whether the driver keeps around 2,000 rpm or “revs” up to 6,000),
• time spent idling when the vehicle is stationary,
• episodes of harsh braking and acceleration,
• the correlation between driving style and fuel use or energy consumption.

On this basis it is easy to distinguish calm from aggressive driving and plan eco driving training focused on efficient driving and lower emissions.

Energy efficient use – effects on fuel, costs and the environment

Good practices and EcoDriving analytics lead to:

• minimising fuel consumption and fleet fuel costs,
• lower emissions and reduced carbon emissions,
• less wear of components (oil, brakes, tyres),
• greater safety and smoother driving for other road users.

This translates into optimal use of vehicles in practice: fewer refuellings, fewer downtimes, more control over performance and energy efficiency.

Economic driving – summary of benefits for the company and drivers

EcoDriving does not end with “I look at fuel consumption”. It is a combination of data from the car, alerts (EcoDriving and Safe Driving), comparisons “driver to driver” and everyday basic golden rules of driving.

Implemented in a company, it helps to really reduce fuel costs, limit excessive wear, improve driving style and support a culture of responsible, fuel efficient and energy efficient use of vehicles in the transport sector and in everyday business operations.