The Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles Program has awarded contribution agreements totalling $970,000 to nine organizations across Canada. This funding will support campaigns to increase public awareness of how fuel-efficient driving practices including reduced vehicle idling can lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The contribution agreements have been awarded to project proponents in five provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Funding allocations include:

Driving Tips to Save Fuel and Reduce Emissions

The ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles Program also promotes fuel-efficient driving habits to drivers. Among the helpful advice being offered:

• TRACK YOUR FUEL CONSUMPTION:  Using fuel-efficient driving practices can increase the distance you travel for every tank. To find out how much fuel your vehicle uses, register today to use Natural Resources Canada’s online fuel consumption calculator at http://myfueluse.nrcan.gc.ca.
• Reduce Your Speed: Decreasing your speed from 120 km/h to 100 km/h uses 20 percent less fuel. Follow the speed limit and use cruise control on flat highway terrain to prevent inadvertent speeding and, in many cases, help save fuel by keeping your speed constant.
• Don’t Drive Aggressively: When combined, speeding, quick acceleration and hard stops — all considered aggressive driving — can increase fuel consumption by 25 percent.
• USE AIR CONDITIONING IN MODERATION: Air conditioning can increase your vehicle’s fuel consumption by up to 20 percent. Where possible, use your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation on the highway, or open a window when city driving.
• Lighten Your Load: The added weight of heavy items in your trunk and the decreased efficiency of your vehicle’s aerodynamics caused by roof or bicycle racks contribute to increased fuel consumption.
• Measure Your Tire Pressure MONTHLY: Properly inflated tires last longer, make your vehicle safer to drive and save fuel. Inflate cold tires to the recommended pressure, indicated near or on the driver’s door, in the glove compartment or in the owner’s manual.
• Plan and Combine Trips: Trips of less than five kilometres do not allow the engine to reach its peak operating temperature, which means fuel consumption and exhaust emissions will be significantly higher than when covering the same distance with a warm engine.  Plan trips in advance: avoid rush hour, construction zones and combine trips into one outing to save time fuel and money.
• Avoid Unnecessary Idling: If you’re stopped for more than 60 seconds, except while in traffic, turn off your engine. Unnecessary idling for 10 minutes a day uses about 5 percent more fuel over the year.
• SERVICE YOUR VEHICLE REGULARLY: Consult your owner’s manual to learn about the proper care and maintenance of your vehicle. A poorly maintained vehicle uses more fuel and creates more emissions.
• USE PUBLIC TRANSIT OR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION WHENEVER POSSIBLE: Do you have a short errand to run? Consider walking, biking or using public transit. Using these alternatives immediately reduces both your fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles

As part of the Government of Canada’s ecoTRANSPORT Strategy, the ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles Program provides Canadian motorists with helpful tips on buying, driving and maintaining their vehicles in order to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. For more information on ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles, visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/personal.