11/06/2026
🌍 THE DRIVING HABIT THAT COULD SAVE YOU HUNDREDS OF POUNDS A YEAR
When people talk about environmentally friendly driving, the conversation usually turns to electric vehicles.
The reality is that most drivers are still driving petrol, diesel or hybrid cars, and for many people the cost of changing vehicles simply is not realistic right now.
What often gets overlooked is that one of the biggest ways to reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions and save money costs absolutely nothing.
It is simply the way you drive.
Research suggests that eco driving techniques can reduce fuel consumption by between 10% and 15%. For the average driver covering thousands of miles each year, that could mean saving hundreds of pounds in fuel costs without changing vehicles, changing jobs or changing lifestyles.
The biggest difference comes from being smoother.
Harsh acceleration burns fuel unnecessarily. Heavy braking wastes momentum that you have already paid for with fuel. Constantly rushing towards hazards only to brake hard a few seconds later is not making progress. It is simply turning fuel into heat and brake dust.
Good drivers look well ahead, anticipate what is developing and make early decisions. They maintain momentum where it is safe to do so and avoid unnecessary speed changes. Interestingly, these are the exact same habits that make someone a safer driver.
Speed also plays a huge part.
Many drivers assume that if they arrive a few minutes sooner, they have somehow won. What they often do not realise is that fuel consumption rises dramatically at higher speeds. Once you start pushing beyond normal cruising speeds, your vehicle is working much harder just to overcome air resistance. That extra fuel being burned is coming directly out of your wallet.
Something as simple as checking your tyre pressures can also make a difference. Underinflated tyres create more rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder. Properly inflated tyres improve fuel efficiency, increase tyre life and improve safety at the same time.
Then there is the boot.
Many cars spend their lives carrying things that have not been used for weeks or even months. Boxes, tools, sports equipment, old shopping bags and all sorts of forgotten items quietly add weight. Every extra kilogram has to be accelerated, braked and carried around wherever you go.
Planning journeys properly can help too. Combining several short trips into one journey, avoiding unnecessary congestion and keeping your vehicle serviced all contribute towards reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
One thing I often teach learners is that good driving is rarely about working harder.
It is about working smarter.
The smoothest drivers are often the safest drivers.
They use less fuel.
They put less wear on their tyres, brakes and clutch.
They create a calmer drive for themselves and everyone around them.
Sometimes saving the environment and saving money involve exactly the same skills.
How many of these eco driving habits do you already use?
✍️ Sheena Ahmed
Motorvation School of Motoring
