Environmental driving and fuel efficiency
What this domain tests
This domain tests eco-driving: how smooth observation, speed control, and vehicle care reduce fuel use and emissions without slowing the journey.
Eco-driving
Fuel-efficient driving is also safer driving: look ahead, accelerate smoothly, maintain a steady speed, and brake early. Avoid unnecessary idling; switch off the engine when stopped for a longer wait. Air resistance rises sharply with speed, so a slightly lower motorway speed can save fuel.
Practical measures
- Keep tyres correctly inflated; low pressure increases fuel use.
- Remove roof racks and excess weight when not needed.
- Use air conditioning sparingly; it increases consumption.
- Plan routes and combine trips; car-sharing reduces emissions.
- On electric vehicles, use regenerative braking and avoid aggressive acceleration.
Worked example
In stop-start traffic, a driver repeatedly accelerates and brakes. Reasoning: this wastes fuel and increases emissions. Better to ease off, keep a larger gap, and roll smoothly; the journey time changes little.
Traps
Thinking eco-driving means driving slowly everywhere; leaving the engine running while parked; ignoring tyre pressure; using sport mode unnecessarily.