7 tips from our eco-driving instructor

‘The single most important part of ecodriving? Go easy on the accelerator,’ explains Tony Dirkx. For years he was a bus driver, but today he works at De Lijn as an instructor. ‘Training in eco-driving with a hybrid bus is standard for all our drivers. Those who work with electric buses also receive specific training. The results are great: if you use the right technique, you emit less and spend less time getting there.’

You can also use these techniques with your car. Your wallet and the environment will thank you! Some tips from Tony:

1. Stop as little as possible

‘Your fuel consumption is highest when you accelerate from a stationary position. So do that as little as possible,’ says Tony. ‘Of course you have to accelerate to get moving, but once you’ve picked up speed, you don’t need the accelerator any more. Because you’re in motion, your kinetic energy keeps you moving forward.’

After that it’s a matter of anticipation. ‘Look around and assess the situation. Are cars slowing down ahead of you? Just let your vehicle slow down naturally, instead of keeping your accelerator pressed down until you catch up with the vehicle in front and only then braking. There are only two situations in which you really have to stop: at a stop sign or, as a bus driver, at a stop. You can slow down in advance for a red light and thus avoid coming to a complete stop.’ 

With a petrol or diesel vehicle you can save quite a few litres of fuel in this way. ‘With hybrid vehicles, the benefit is twofold,’ says Tony. ‘Our hybrid buses contain generators. Electricity is generated as soon the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator pedal. This charges the battery and increases the electric driving range.’

2. Hybrid or electric? Don’t accelerate too quickly

Do you have a hybrid or electric car? Be careful not to accelerate too quickly. With a petrol or diesel car, it’s best to move up to cruising speed as soon as possible so that you can take your foot off the accelerator quickly. But an electric vehicle accelerates very quickly anyway, due to the limited mechanical resistance. Pressing the accelerator in addition increases your battery consumption unnecessarily.

3. Take care of your car

Pamper your car. Don’t skip any servicing, so that the oil is always fresh, the oil and air filters clean and the spark plugs in top shape. That will have a real impact on your fuel consumption.

4. Check your tyre pressure

If your tyre pressure is too low, it creates more resistance, so your car uses more fuel and has less grip on the road. Check what the pressure should be in the tyre pressure table. You will find this in the instruction booklet or on a sticker on your fuel flap or door frame. Another nice bonus is that your tyres will wear out more slowly.

5. Leave on time

If you leave for your destination on time, you don’t have to rush. And driving more slowly automatically means less fuel consumption and less pollution. According to the European Environment Agency, your fuel consumption is an impressive 12% lower with diesel and 18% lower with petrol if you drive at 110 km per hour instead of 120 on the motorway.

6. Leave out the extras

You definitely need features such as rear window heating, fog lights and heating (including heated seats)in cold weather. But don’t forget to switch them off in good time. Like air-conditioning, they eat up fuel. Leaving your engine running unnecessarily is also sheer wastefulness. Always switch it off when you’re at a railway crossing or waiting to pick someone up.

7. Don’t lug stuff around

The heavier your car, the more fuel it needs to keep going, so remove anything you don’t need. It also makes sense not to leave a bicycle rack or roof box on your car any longer than necessary. As well as adding extra weight, they make your car less aerodynamic. And that too increases your emissions and consumption.

Want to limit your consumption even more? Leave your car at home more often and travel by bus or tram. That way, you’ll be joining us on the journey towards less CO₂.