Sweden makes fuel economy a license requirement
By: drivers.com staff
Date: 2008-08-21
With European gasoline prices two to three times the North American level it's a no-brainer that economy driving techniques would be included in European driver training.
However, recently, the Swedish government has taken things to a more formal level by including "eco-driving" techniques in driving tests. The techniques are part of both the theory and behind-the-wheel tests.
The Swedish Road Administration claims the techniques can save as much as 10% of fuel consumption. This will be a welcome boon both to the environment and the national economy, since Swedes are reckoned to have the least fuel-efficient vehicles in Europe.
On the Swedish road test, drivers are expected to think ahead and anticipate changing traffic lights as well as traffic situations. Amongst the fuel-saving techniques are doing all the preparations for driving (Seat adjusted, seat belt on, handbrake off, car in gear,etc.), before starting the engine. Most European cars have manual transmissions, which make fuel saving techniques somewhat easier.
Computerized driving simulation and devices that offer fuel consumption feedback to the driver will make eco-driving easier to accomplish. And it's likely that with recent increases in fuel prices drivers won’t need much encouragement to practice these techniques.
However, the "hypermiling" techniques becoming popular with some drivers can be a source of traffic friction and a safety concern. Safety organizations are urging drivers to remember that driving is a cooperative effort.
Individual drivers who become overzealous about their own fuel economy not only irritate other road users but decrease the fuel efficiency of overall traffic flow.
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