First assessment of the eco: Drive from Fiat: average reduction in consumption of 6%

For over a year, Fiat offers on some models an embedded system analysis of the conduct and advice to drivers to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The manufacturer has released an initial assessment tool eco: Drive from a study conducted from June 9, 2009 to October 31, 2009 (150 days). The data cover 428'000 flown by 5,700 drivers in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and United Kingdom.

It is shown that the use of eco: Drive for a period of 30 days resulted in an average reduction in consumption of 6% (using an exponential model of evolution), or 16% in 10% of cases the best users. Eco-driving generates driving more fluid traffic conditions but do not always permit, which explains that the average speeds low consumption increases. Thus, if Paris could increase average speeds of 5 km / h by thinning traffic, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions would drop automatically by 6%.


British drivers are the best eco-drivers in Europe thanks to their speed management flexible and balanced. The Germans speed up with excessive force, but are able to maintain a constant speed and change gears at the right time. The French are the best in terms of progressive decelerations, but not in terms of speed changes. But what are the drivers who recorded the best improvements in this technique. Italian drivers are struggling to maintain an average speed and slowing gradually. They are also the drivers who have improved the least. Finally, the Spanish, who initially had the worst results, recorded the highest growth over 30 days.

The study concluded that such increases are best performed by decelerating more effective (eg less energy lost in braking). On the other hand, the potential savings through a gradual acceleration and change of speed at the best moment is still considerable, even if often in city driving conditions impede the improvement.

A new version of eco: Drive will appear for the year 2011, eco: Drive Live, which will not only provide regular advice on driving style but also suggestions for improvement via portable devices such as GPS navigators or smartphones.
The study in detail at this address: http://www.fiat.co.uk/ecodrive/en/#ecodrive_en/thefacts