Eco-Feedback for Cost-Effective Fuel Economy

When close to running out of gas, most drivers know how to stretch the last gallon.   This works of course because fuel efficiency depends on driving style as well as on vehicle design.   

It is increasingly common for cars to come equipped with fuel economy indicators of various levels of sophistication - some cumulative, some real-time, etc.   Prius and other hybrids have particularly nice dashboard displays, and many of their drivers take the implied challenge and learn how to maximize mileage. 

Recently, Toyota announced plans to introduce in certain Japanese-market models an "Eco Drive Indicator", which boils fuel-efficiency down to a single on/off light, based on such factors as speed, transmission efficiency, and acceleration.   The idea is to help the driver save fuel, and raise awareness of how that reduces climate-changing CO2 emissions.   

Toyota states that the Eco Drive Indicator can improve fuel efficiency by approximately 4%.   My own anecdotal experience with real-time fuel-economy indicators suggests that much larger savings are possible (especially if your preferred driving style is as inefficient as mine!).   

Real-time feedback is a beautiful thing.  As they say....out-of-sight, out-of-mind; but a dashboard eco-feedback display provides a constant reminder, and makes it easy for drivers to learn how driving style affects fuel economy. 

I suspect that the single most cost-effective way to reduce oil consumption would be to mandate that every vehicle be equipped with a real-time eco-feedback display.  I also suspect that this would be less-controversial than raising CAFE standards! 

Indeed, we are considering a requirement that all Automotive X PRIZE entrants have such a display.  Maybe there should even be a special award for the coolest one.  What do you think? 

Comments

[Slacy]

I'm not 100% sold on this. I've had something like this in my car for 7 years now (instant MPG, average MPG, etc.) and until very recently, I didn't really look at it much, since it was hidden behind more useful information, like my in-car clock.

Now that I do watch my MPG indicator, and I try to maximize it, I've found out that driving style makes less of an impact for short city trips than the many other things that are out of my control, like how many red lights I have to sit at. I've also found out that I have literally zero control over the economy of my car on the highway.

So, with those two factors (red lights and highway economy) out of the drivers control, the decision that matters is the one thats made at the *dealership*, not the ones that you make while you're driving. I would hate to see an SUV branded as "Eco Friendly" just because it has some kind of "Eco Indicator". It could end up as another feature letting people rationalize their irresponsible vehicle purchase decision.

[Dion Damato]

I think this is a great idea! I'm not sure if what Toyota is planning on is entirely new. I once drove a rental car in Europe, which had a three light fuel economy indicator. Fittingly, the lights were Red (bad), Yellow (okay), and green (best).

If you put the petal to the metal off the line the light went directly to red. On the other hand if you accelerated at an economic rate the light would stay green. It was fun trying to accelerate as fast as possible while keep the light green.

Unfortunately, fuel is relatively cheap here and we Americans have too much discretionary income. American drivers would hardly blink at consistently red indicator lights, while in a hurry to get somewhere on our crowded freeways. So bring on the next generation.

I propose a real-time fuel economy indicator with wireless telemetry which is sent to the Save the Earth headquarters. Drivers would be warned of bad driving habits by lights and data feedback while driving. In addition, an average miles/gallon would be recorded based on these driving habits. This data would be sent via wireless network to Save the Earth headquarters. If the driver is worse than the accepted average money will be drawn directly from their bank account. This money will be dispersed among the good drivers, those below the average. Lastly, average drivers gain and lose nothing.

Man Law.
Dion

[jim from the foothills]

Bad idea. When you substitute gimmicks for technology you will defeat the purpose of the contest. Surely a professionally trained driver can squeeze 15% more efficiency out of today's automobile... so what... most people are not trained.

the first ford escort had a shift light... you are not breaking new ground here.

[michael jones]

Driving style is simething really important when you are on the road! Most people usually form their own style after their driving test. It is an interesting period!

[truck rental]

Very interesting! I love all the ecological awareness the financial crisis has brought upon us! I guess Marks was right- money dose determine our cultural values :)

[Lifted trucks]

Fuel efficiency isn’t all about the cars. this can matter on way of drive. Eco driving could improve fuel economy by 15%