Page 27 - Linkline Autumn 2016

Encouraging Ecodriving
Conor Molloy CMILT, MSc Energy, CEM, CMVP, REA.
Paper presented at International Energy Agency in Paris 10-11th May 2016, on Ireland’s experience with ecodriving.
Transport in the Republic of Ireland accounts for:
• 41.7% of final energy use.
• 21% of our GHG/CO2e emissions.
• HGV’s account for 25% of this energy use.
Despite these figures:
• 95% of Irish exports by volume go by road.
• We drive 30% more than the EU average.
Globally, transport is the fastest growing greenhouse gas emitter, yet it is also one of the last aspects we look at when identifying where our businesses can save energy and emissions.
There are currently one billion cars globally and another two billion expected by 2050, and even with Electric Vehicle (EV) sales doubling annually we all need to remember that on average 80% of fuel energy is lost before it reaches the wheels. Just 20% of the energy becomes the kinetic energy of the car moving.
Whilst a wide range of EVs are available now and supported with subsidies plus corporation tax breaks (even Tesla EVs are due to arrive in Ireland shortly), there is still plenty businesses can do with Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to help reduce emissions while still increasing profits.
These problems that face the effort to reduce transport energy emissions can be summarised as follows:
The solution to combat these issues is to optimise existing vehicles and drivers now rather than waiting for new vehicles or EVs to come
on the market.
Ecodriving
Ecodriving is an immediate win for the driver and the planet. It comprises of smart, smooth and safe driving techniques that can lead to sustained fuel savings of 5-10%.
Ecodriving is not ‘hypermiling’ or extreme fuel saving behaviour. It is a simple and safe behaviour modification that can be adopted by any driver. It comprises five golden rules:
• There are a large number of vehicles with ten-year lifecycles (typically three years on a fleet).
• Consider any extra energy drainers; remove unused roof racks or unnecessary loads, for example.
• There is currently a large energy loss from the tinternal combbustion engines.
• Transport is the fastest growing emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) in Ireland and globally.
• But most of all, human vehicle operation is highly inefficient.
• Anticipate traffic flow; look ahead as far as possible and anticipate surrounding traffic.
• Maintain a steady speed at low rpm; drive smoothly, using the highest possible gear at low RPM.
• Shift up early; shift up at between 1,500 (diesel) and 2,000 (petrol/gas) revolutions.
• Check tyre pressures frequently; at least once a month and before driving at high speed.
TOTAL FINAL ENEREGY CONSUMPTION BY SECTOR
The CharTered InsTITuTe of LogIsTICs & TransporT 27
ECO DRIVING