Really Smart Driving

smart has unveiled a new green driving initiative called ‘smart eco driving’. Developed alongside the launch of the smart fortwo cdi, apparently the lowest CO2 emitting car in production, the initiative builds on smart’s green driving credentials and teaches motorists how to drive in the greenest and most economical way.

The initiative is designed to encourage all drivers to adopt smarter driving techniques to enable them to save money and cut back on CO2 emissions via a smart tutorial. Green driving courses will also be available from Mercedes-Benz World later this year. Motorists will be able to book a theory lesson to learn tips on how to effectively reduce both fuel consumption and emissions, as well as practical tuition with a professional eco-driving instructor where the techniques can be put into practice.

Watch the top 10 smart eco driving tips below (click here if you can’t see the video).

Additional smart driving tips include:

-Reduce driving speeds by 10mph where safe to – higher speeds use more fuel
- Regularly check tyre pressure – under-inflated tyres use more fuel and need replacing more regularly
- Air conditioning uses fuel so turn it off and open the window a fraction – ideally no more than 10% as full open windows can create drag
- Turn the engine off if stationary for more than 10 seconds – smart’s mhd system does this automatically
- Cruise control can help minimise inadvertent variations in throttle
- Reduce loads – clear the boot of unnecessary junk
- Regularly check air and fuel filters, as well as spark plugs – clogged filters can reduce efficiency
- Roof racks increase drag – take them off when not in use
- Use the MPG indicator (trip computer) so you’re always aware of how much fuel has been used
- Plan journeys well in advance and try to avoid times that will be congested

Today is PARK(ing) Day in the UK

PARK(ing) Day is coming to the UK for the first time on Friday 18 September. Brought to Britain by eco car insurance provider ibuyeco and US art collective Rebar, PARK(ing) Day UK is the first official, nationwide event of its kind in the UK and is part of International PARK(ing) Day – an annual, one-day, global event where artists, activists and members of the public collaborate to temporarily convert paid-for parking spots into beautiful green spaces.

Held in celebration of the little things that make a big difference to the environment, the inaugural official PARK(ing) Day UK will take place in London and will see a small part of London’s busy, bustling West End transformed into a miniature urban oasis for all to enjoy – and they hope that others will get behind the movement and take part.

If you fancy finding out more or taking part yourself, go here.
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Cycling and Walking Need A Woman’s Touch

Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, is looking for more women to support walking and cycling across the UK.

There are around 600 women volunteering for Sustrans, donating a total of 32,500 hours of time every year. But, for every female volunteer there are three male volunteers, and Sustrans is keen to help women redress the balance.

Katie Aartse-Tuyn, Sustrans’ Volunteer Coordinator, said: “We are fortunate to have the help of a great team of volunteers, and are always ready to welcome new people to the team – men and women alike.

“But, we’re particularly keen to encourage more involvement from women. They are vital role models to help us get the message out there that active, environmentally-friendly methods of travel are for everyone”

Sustrans has a mix of volunteer roles to suit everyone. One of the most popular is the ranger role, helping to maintain local sections of the National Cycle Network, which now covers 12,000 miles across the UK.

Michele Taborn has been a Volunteer Ranger for Sustrans in north Devon for the last six years. She said: “I’m always surprised when I go to ranger meetings and there are far more men than women. Being a Volunteer Ranger is the ultimate in multi-tasking – it allows people to combine getting fit, socialising and making a real difference to the local environment.”

Also women are currently under-represented in cycling. A BMRB survey commissioned by Sustrans this spring revealed that 79 per cent of women in Britain never get on a bike despite 49 per cent having access to a one. Sustrans is hoping to change that in 2009, with a year of activities to get more women cycling, including a brand new website www.bikebelles.org.uk.

Convertible Bicycle And Stroller/Buggy

I was enjoying the British summer in the park the other say. And apart from spotting D-list celebrities, I also saw one of these things gently amble past. That’s not my picture by the way, but it was just a sunny.

A week later, I was looking through some old emails and good old Springwise had a little feature on it. Called the Taga, it’s:

“A recent winner of the Red Dot Design Award, the Taga bike uses simple click-to fit technology that allows it to be switched from stroller mode to bicycle mode in just 20 seconds. Child seating can be reclined for a sleeping little one, and there’s both a hood and rain guard for protection against the elements. Future options will include seating for two children, a car seat adapter, a cart mode, a wooden double seat and extra front-end protection. The Taga is available in stores throughout Europe and the UK, where pricing is GBP 1,695.”

A bit pricey then, maybe that’s why I haven’t seen any more.

Car Use Is Down In English Towns

The transport charity, Sustrans, have the hardest-working PR department I’ve ever known, seriously I get a load of press releases from them every day.

Anyway aside from the opening of new cycle-paths etc, I thought this was noteworthy. The Department for Transport have named and funded three places, Darlington, Peterborough and Worcester, as Sustainable Travel Demonstration Towns and it turns out it’s working as residents there have cut their car use and taken to more active, low-carbon forms of transport.

The Sustainable Travel Demonstration Towns scheme was a five year project that finished in 2008 and aimed to encourage residents, commuters and visitors to walk, cycle and take public transport more often and to reduce single-occupancy car use.

The press release continues thus:

“At the end of the five-year project, car use had fallen by up to nine per cent across the three towns, detailed travel surveys conducted by Sustrans and its partner Socialdata on behalf of the towns have revealed. This equates to nearly 53 million miles of car travel taken off the roads across the three towns, resulting in annual savings of more than 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

“As car travel has fallen, use of more active and sustainable forms of transport has increased across all three demonstration towns. Levels of walking increased by more than 10 per cent in each location, while bus use grew by more than a third in Peterborough and by a fifth in Worcester.

“There was a 12 per cent increase in cycling in Peterborough and a 19 per cent increase in Worcester. Darlington, which received further Government cash to improve facilities for cyclists, saw levels of cycling more than double over the same period.

“Malcolm Shepherd, Sustrans’ Chief Executive, said: ‘These results confirm what we have always suspected – that a lot of people are fed up with being stuck in their cars and that with the right support they are happy to walk, cycle or take the bus more often.”

Nice to know.

American Idol Fusion

This is a guest post by Ron Doren, Editor of The Drivers Seat.tv, an awesome car review and comparison site.

For the past several seasons, Ford has been one of the biggest sponsors for American Idol and despite tough times, 2009 is no exception. My day began driving to Hollywood to experience the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Just a green day all around. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the fine people at Ford who were eager to show off their redesigned Fusion.

The overview was informative and we learned a lot more about this mid-size GREEN sedan like its class-leading 41MPG and that the Fusion is capable of running in EV or all-electric mode for speeds up to 47MPH. Ford also had Fusion Hybrid that was loaded with decals highlighting its achievement for traveling over 1,400 miles on one 17.5 gallon tank which is a new record. Of course that was done by some hypermile experts, but they did offer 10 tips for the rest of us who want to drive greener.

Slow down and watch speed
Accelerate and brake smoothly
No idling
Check your tires
Be kind to your vehicle
Travel light
Minimize use of heater and air conditioning
Close windows at high speeds
Choose the right oil
Consolidate trips
Numbers are impressive, but it was now time to put the Fusion to the test via a mileage competition among auto journalists.

I had the more challenging part of the drive, taking the Fusion up through the Hollywood hills. Plenty of torque on tap, but the key was to use as little fuel as possible despite the challenging terrain. When I handed the Hybrid Ford to my co-pilot, the average MPGs was at 20.6. Not great, but considering the roads, very good, especially by non-Hybrid standards. My partner had the freeway drive as well as some downhill coasting opportunities to help us achieve a competition-winning average of 36.5 MPG! Not bad when you consider the size of the Fusion. That’s the same fuel economy I’ve been achieving with the Honda Insight!

Ford has come a long way and I have to admit, the 2010 refresh was more than just cosmetic. The Fusion drives better, looks better, and has been improved significantly on the inside thanks to better materials and better gauges. And of course we can’t leave out the Microsoft Sync system which is truly one of the best on the market.

The primary competitors for the Fusion Hybrid are the Camry Hybrid and Altima Hybrid. I’ve driven both of these cars and can honestly say that this Fusion Hybrid is just better. Looks better, drives better, and better interior. And best of all, it’s priced better.

One final word on the Fusion and American Idol. Ford made it clear that although the show is about young people, it actually appeals to a broad audience and therefore the Fusion makes sense. That may be the case, and I’m sure Ford gets a good return on their investment or the partnership would have been canceled quicker than a show on TBS, but I for one can’t wait until next year when the Ford Fiesta arrives. I drove it and it’s awesome. It will help on so many levels. First, it will give Ford its first legitimate compact car in America….EVER. Second, it will draw young buyers into Ford dealerships. And third it will prove that America can build a quality compact car that can compete with Honda and Toyota. I just wish the Fiesta was here today!

Posted by Ron Doren, Editor of The Drivers Seat.tv.

Smart Trees

An interesting piece of news I was sent is smart USA’s recent announcement regarding its Forest Restoration Project. This initiative will plant approximately 25,000 trees in the Cache River State Natural Area in honor of every vehicle sold in 2008 to celebrate the one year anniversary of the fortwo in the United States.

Here are some facts on the smart fortwo:
• Rated by the EPA, as the most fuel efficient non-hybrid vehicle on the road
• Vehicle is up to 95% recyclable
• Received highest possible rating from IIHS in frontal and side-impact crash test, and second highest rating in rear impact.

Of course, depending on what vehicle you’re buying, after no vehicle at all, second hand vehicles are often best. But it’s an interesting initiative for a car company.

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