As more and more Brits are having to be aware of their current financial situation, the general consensus is that the priorities are to save as much money as possible in order to keep heads above water. Increases in fuel prices, energy bills, and cost of living inflation are having a major impact on the economy.
The latest advice is pointed toward car owners of diesel and petrol cars who leave their vehicles running for an average of 244 minutes every winter in order to heat their cars to warm up the engine. Just doing this can generate a combined 107,000 tonnes of CO2 annually in the UK, based on new research.
Just by idling their engine, car owners of petrol or diesel vehicles waste around £188million on fuel costs, just over winter.
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
A new study by the Institution of Engineering and Technology found that 64 percent of drivers let their engines idle during the winter months. A recent survey has shown that four in ten drivers have admitted to doing this at least three times per week.
Figures also show that more than a million motorists idle every single day during winter, which produces a carbon footprint of 825kg over a lifetime. To get a scale of the impact this causes during winter, it’s estimated that car engines are idling for an average of 4.79 minutes, and one in six motorists leave their cars running for at least 10 minutes to get the exterior and interior of the car warm.
Electric vehicles
We all know the ultimate solution to reducing emissions is transitioning from fossil fuel cars to electric cars. Still, two-thirds of motorists said they’re highly unlikely to be switching over before the government’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars which comes into effect in 2030.
An expert on the topic, Mr. Farooq Yaqub who is a member of the IET Council, said: “It only typically takes less than 30 seconds to lubricate your engine once running and when driving, your engine should quickly reach full operating temperature.
“Excessive idling can also actually damage your engine’s components, including spark plugs, cylinders, and exhaust systems – and an idling engine can produce up to twice the emissions of a car in motion.’
The Highway Code
The Highway Code, states under Rule 123, “the driver and the environment” and articulates how motorists should follow the rules by not leaving a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leaving a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road. In most cases, when a vehicle is stationary or parked for more than a few minutes, drivers should apply the parking brake and switch off the engine to reduce noise and emission pollution.
However, it is permissible to leave the engine running if the vehicle is stationary in traffic or if the vehicle is diagnosed with faults. To put this issue into perspective, the £188 million wasted on idling can actually be used to pay for 75,000 homes to be heated for a year.
Don’t believe the rumours
In the UK it’s a common misconception that drivers need to warm up their car on a cold or snowy day. More research has shown that an overwhelming 65 percent of drivers questioned have believed the best solution to warming up their engine and car is by starting it up and having the engine idle until adequate warmth and heat are generated. Another four in ten car drivers are under the wrong impression that engine idling will help to extend the lifespan of the car engine, and this is not the case.
Farooq also goes on to say: “The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) will be so critical in the long-term in helping reduce emissions from petrol and diesel engines.
Yet the research has demonstrated a clear financial barrier to this being a straightforward process, amplified by the cost-of-living crisis.”
“This is why it’s so important that the government provides further support and incentives for EV uptake if they are serious about meeting their 2030 net zero goals.”
Tips from the IET
Here are a number of tips for car drivers from IET:
The 10-second rule. If the car is going to be stationary for more than 10 seconds, the best advice is to switch off the engine. The IET went on to say, restarting your car’s engine will not increase fuel consumption after it has been off for a short period of time.
Always turn on your vehicle’s start/stop feature if your vehicle is fitted with this technology.
Try to use real-time navigational apps to help avoid traffic jams, thus spending less time for your car’s engine to idle.
Be aware that driving slightly longer distances at a more consistent speed will not only get you to your destination faster but will increase your engine’s fuel consumption.
Choose a more fuel-efficient used car
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