The Drive Smarter Challenge
By Karina | June 16, 2008
We got a heads up from the people over at the Drive Smarter Challenge letting us know about their campaign to, well, Drive Smarter. This definately ties into my recent experimenting with driving techniques to get better gas mileage.
So I tried it out and based on the calculator, I can save about $194 annually by making smart changes (several of which I have already made). That might not seem like a bunch, but it does add up. (also I’m not sure what price they’re using for these calculations - the way gas prices are shooting up this year, the information may become out-dated quickly!***) Also, based on your specific automobile you’ll save more money: like, $505 if, say, you’re driving a 1996 Tacoma 4WD pick-up. You calculate your savings by entering your specific vehicle information (make, model, year, cylinders), commit to 1-6 actions, and then see your savings in dollars, gallons of gas, and CO2 emissions). If you want to sign up, you can add to a running total of everyone’s savings on the website.
[[*** edited to add: I emailed them and got this response this morning about the gas prices used during calculations: “The calculations are calculated as annual savings, driving the national average of 12, 500 miles per year in a vehicle with a fuel economy of 20.1 mpg using regular grade gasoline at $3.21 per gallon (which was the projected 2008 annual average by the Energy Information Administrations” March Short Term Energy Outlook!). Unfortunately, the projected average was far lower than our current gas prices so the calculations are slightly outdated - but informative, nonetheless.”]]
This campaign is put together by The Alliance to Save Energy, a well established group that is as old as I am! It’s got an interesting basis in the 6 degrees concept - for example, the idea that each person on earth is only (at most) 6 degrees away from everyone else. The campaign has identified the 6 degrees of fuel efficiency, which examines the way that gasoline we use (or waste) affects us in six ways - as the Drive Smarter page says:
I really like this broad-spectrum, full life-and-world viewpoint reflecting on how gasoline use affects every aspect of our lives. They also sponsor the 6 Degree Challenge which examines home energy efficiency. I also loved checking out the wide range of bedfellows who are partners to this campaign, too.
(Side note: I noticed that the coupons at the end are generally for oil purchases and to car parts stores. So don’t sign up because you are expecting a super coupon for a new car, or anything! Do it because it’s cool information.)
Other features at the site besides a pretty calculator are a LOT of tips here, and some neat myths debunked here. Check it out! For example, the myths debunk the A/C vs. windows open issue that we’ve talked about here before - “Opening the windows at 65 mph had negligible effects.” PHEW.
Any notes on efficiency from your weekend?
Topics: Transportation |
wacky… one of their “featured partners” appears to be exxon/mobil.
[…] Tiny Choices talks about The Drive Smarter Challenge. […]
Besides #1, #2, and possibly #3, the list seems a bit ephemeral for those who are not already concerned or thinking about such matters. #4 is true enough in terms of the negative effects of increasing demand for oil and energy in general, but it might be a stretch to say that decreasing demand will translate to equivalently lower consumer product prices. The more steps there is between a resource and an end product, the less efficient the relationship tends to be.
#1 and #2 are points that will really hit home for consumers, imo. Unfortunately, some auto manufacturers are already attempting to mitigate their effects by offering what essentially is a limited gas price cap for buyers of certain vehicles. I think the line is drawn at $2.99 a gallon for three years for the first 12,000 miles of each year currently. It’s a great marketing tool, but I detest it for contributing to bad habits. Even worse, I am afraid that it will entice some people to use more gas, either by driving faster or driving more, because of the “buy more, save more” mentality that the retailers promote.
[…] The Drive Smarter Challenge […]