August 20, 2008

Automakers Introduce ‘EcoDriving’ Program

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers recently introduced “EcoDriving,” a nationwide effort to help consumers save money, reduce fuel use and cut CO2 emissions.

Ten automakers — BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen – and the states of California and Colorado are committed to the program.

The program says a typical “EcoDriver” can improve milage by about 15 percent by following a set of subtle and easy-to-use best practices for driving and vehicle maintenance.

If half of all drivers in U.S. practiced moderated levels of the program, automakers say annual CO2 emissions could be reduced by about 100 million tons, or the equivalent of heating and powering 8.5 million households.

If all Americans practiced EcoDriving, automakers say it would be equal to traveling 450 million miles without generating any CO2 emissions, the equivalent of “1,500 CO2-free miles” for everyone in the U.S. each year.

Some of the EcoDriving practices include:
– Not tailgating, knowing the proper way to accelerate and brake, and using synchronized traffic lights to a driver’s advantage.

Some of the maintenance practices include:
– Knowing which motor oil to use, understanding the importance of proper tire pressure and what affects tire pressure.

As part of the unveiling of EcoDriving, the National Automobile Dealers Association announced September will be free “Green Check-up Month” nationwide.

Nissan recently introduce a fuel improvement system– Eco-Pedal, which touts 5 to 10 percent fuel efficiency improvement.

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