In the context of the energy transition, analyzing the behaviour of car drivers to make them adopt more energy-efficient habits is a major challenge for companies, both environmentally and economically.
What is eco-driving?
Eco-driving is a technique that reduces the fuel consumption of a vehicle during its use. As a result, the vehicle also pollutes less. Eco-driving encourages drivers to change their driving behaviour by teaching them to use their vehicles more efficiently.
It has many advantages, most of which are based on one principle: anticipation. When a driver is attentive to his driving, he can anticipate many situations and avoid being surprised by his environment. This is relevant to eco-driving since the surprise effect typically generates quick and exaggerated reactions by reflex.
In addition to reducing the vehicle’s fuel consumption and pollutant emissions, eco-driving also greatly reduces the risk of accidents on the road and limits the wear and tear on the various components of the vehicle.
To implement an eco-driving strategy within a company, the most effective solution is to train the driving staff. There are also telematics services that offer the analysis of drivers’ behaviour at the wheel (braking, acceleration, etc.).
How much does an eco-driving course cost?
An eco-driving course can be carried out individually or in groups. For companies, the group training solution allows 5 to 8 people to be trained in one day. A day of training for a group of 6 people cost between 750 and 1000 € depending on the training organization.
The training is generally composed of two parts. The first part is theoretical and teaches participants the advantages of eco-driving and the differences with a classic driving style. During the second part, each participant’s driving behaviour is evaluated and corrected. Emphasis is put on anticipating all situations.
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To implement eco-driving, the company will have to invest one to several days to train its staff. Although this may represent a significant cost, the gain at the end is appreciable and twofold since a decrease in fuel consumption translates into a reduction of the associated costs, and higher vigilance on the road implies fewer accidents.
Another benefit of eco-driving, which will motivate employees to adopt these behaviours, is that its principles can be applied to their own vehicles, thus reducing their personal fuel consumption and maintenance costs as well.
What is the interest of eco-driving for the company?
After an eco-driving training, fuel consumption is reduced by 5 to 20% depending on the profile of the different drivers, with an average of 10%. For a vehicle that travels 30,000 km each year and consumes 7 litres per 100 km, the savings are more than 200 € per vehicle (tax not included). The training will therefore be amortized in less than a year, while the gains are acquired permanently.
Road risks will also be reduced thanks to heightened anticipation. The risk of accidents will be cut, which will ultimately have an impact on the company’s insurance premiums. In addition, with a smoother driving style, vehicles will suffer less, which will have the advantage of significantly reducing maintenance costs. Tires, brakes and suspensions will be less stressed, which will slow down their wear. By reducing fuel consumption by 10%, the vehicle will have a 10% increase in autonomy, which will extend employees’ effective working time by reducing the time spent filling up the vehicle’s tank.
The car fleet manager will also be able to communicate on its responsible behaviour, both on the environmental level with a decrease in CO2 emissions, and also on the security level, with reduced road risks.
With a better ability to apprehend everyday situations, drivers will also be more careful. Speeding will also be reduced, as they will drive more carefully.
Coupled with a high-performance telematics service that analyzes the driving behaviour of the teams in the field, it is possible to maintain a dynamic around eco-driving within the company to perpetuate the gains that it offers. The cumulative benefits of lower fuel consumption, reduced maintenance costs, lower costs of returning company vehicles at the end of their rental period, lower insurance premiums, and the brand image conveyed by the company’s personnel will be beneficial in all respects, while making long-term savings possible.
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