Staff report www.gulftoday.ae
DUBAI: Bus companies, taxi firms and other commercial vehicle fleet operators can slash fuel costs and CO2 emissions if drivers learn eco-friendly techniques in a new training programme being introduced in the Middle East, its creators say.
Dubai-based Dynamic Technical Training points to hard acceleration followed by hard braking, mostly in traffic conditions, as among the biggest contributors to fuel wastage, but says special instruction for drivers can quickly overcome these problems.
With the new technique, drivers can maximise the gearbox usage by driving at 15km/hr in second gear at 1,000 revs per minute instead of driving at 15km/hr in first gear at 1,800 revs per minute.
The automotive service provider, DTT, will launch the training programme designed for professional drivers of large heavy goods vehicles at Commercial Vehicles Middle East exhibition and conference taking place in Dubai next month.
“The Driving Eco2 programme teaches drivers how to adopt an eco-friendly approach which reduces CO2 emissions and fuel consumption,” said Nicolas Gondard, Business Development Manager of DTT.
“Results in Europe illustrate that a small to medium enterprise operating 100 vehicles saved Dhs115,584 in annual fuel costs after the training, representing 153,216 kilogrammes less of CO2 emissions released in the atmosphere,” he added.
“A larger fleet operator, such as a taxi firm operating 1,200 vehicles, would save Dhs4,458,240 per year on fuel, with an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of 5,909,760kg. The effects on fuel costs, and the environment, are even more significant,” elaborated Gondard.
Alexandria Robinson, project manager, Commercial Vehicles Middle East, said, “The Driving Eco2 programme is based on facts and data derived from the vehicle itself rather than the instructor’s perceptions.”
“The demonstrations will benefit fleet managers in particular, and will help them adopt cost effective, eco friendly options in the future,” she added.
