While oil is expensive and the planet is burning, it is in particular a question of pressing less on the mushroom, passing for example from 120km / h to 110 on the highway or from 90 to 80 on the national.
It is also necessary to shift gears at the right time, cut the engine when stationary, remove the roof boxes or not abuse the air conditioning, underlines Guillaume Sabiron, of the French Institute of Petroleum-New Energies (Ifpen).
– Up to -40% consumption –
While private cars account for 12% of transport-related pollution in the European Union, eco-driving can immediately reduce fuel consumption by 6 to 40%, at the same time limiting polluting gas emissions and the number accidents.
Most of these techniques also extend the range of hybrid and electric cars.
On the contrary, «aggressive driving (rapid acceleration and untimely braking) increases consumption by 30 to 40%», but will also wear out the tires and the brakes, underlines Stacy Davis, of the American laboratory of Oak Ridge, which tests these techniques. .
Formalized from the first oil shocks in the 1970s, the principles of eco-driving have begun to be widely disseminated recently.
On the «FuelEconomy.gov» site, launched in 2000, the American Environment Agency (EPA) brings together dozens of updated tips, just like Ademe in France, or the British Ministry of Transport .
In France, these principles are taught when passing the driving license and allow you to obtain a bonus point on the exam.
But this self-discipline struggles to assert itself on the road, where the goal is often to get to your destination as quickly as possible. In the midst of rising gasoline prices, in February 2022, less than a quarter of French motorists thought of driving more slowly to consume less, according to an Ifop survey for the Odopass application.
«I had a sportier drive, now I watch my tachometer,» said Damien, 42, on Friday at the Auchan service station in Avallon (Yonne). This teacher also tries to «maximize the trips» and «inflate the tires a little more».
«My husband is a driver and the fact, I have not been trained! But I drive slowly», explained at the pump next door Christine, 48 years old. Transport companies have understood that they could save tens of thousands of liters of diesel. Many drivers around the world have been trained since the 2010s.
«It’s up to the government to take measures!», Launched Dominique, 59, for his part. “You just have to drive less”.
– Change car? –
False good ideas pollute the debate. Over-inflate your tires, turn off the engine on a descent, stick to trucks on the highway, add electronic accessories: these tips from fans of «hypermiling» («hypermiling») are sometimes counterproductive, and often dangerous.
Training is also available for individuals. But it is also necessary to study what can hinder motorists in eco-driving, underlines the British researcher in psychology Craig K. Allison, associated with other academics.
In a study published at the start of 2022, simulator tests showed demotivated motorists, a priori because of the instructions to be followed and the slightly slower journey, but displaying better self-esteem at the end of the exercise.
These researchers urge manufacturers to encourage drivers to adopt more measured driving, sometimes with eco-driving scores inspired by video games.
According to the EPA, new cars have never been so efficient, even though they have become significantly heavier in recent decades. Switching to hybrid (gasoline or diesel) or electric also makes it possible to pollute less, especially in town.
But it is first a question of driving with a well-maintained vehicle adapted to its uses: favoring small engines and aerodynamic shapes, avoiding sports cars and SUVs elsewhere than on the roads.
And it is better «to change mobility than car», underlines Guillaume Sabiron at Ifpen. If possible, “working from home for a day or cycling will have a much greater impact”.