Drive Green Save Gr$$n - ecodriving training for individuals and fleet managers

An eco-driving workshop was held near Charlotte on May 25, 2011, presented by the North Carolina Solar Center's Clean Transportation program and hosted by the Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition. Drive Green Save Green drew in people like Annette Collins, a Belmont woman who was looking for a way to reduce her fuel spending. It also attracted people in the 'driver's seat' of entire fleets of vehicles, like those operated by Coca-Cola Bottling Company, various city and county offices, and a neighboring school district. The idea is that, by learning driving habits that optimize fuel efficiency, individuals and directors of fleets of any size can save money, reduce emissions, and reduce their use of imported petroleum. The workshop featured a series of presentations on improving fuel efficiency, followed by two test drives using a ScanGauge fuel usage meter (one of several options for fuel use tracking). On the first run the driver was not coached and was not given feedback on their efficiency. On the second, the passenger reiterated the tips learned in the workshop and gave the driver updates on fuel efficiency as they went. Even though the route was short, all but two drivers experienced notable fuel efficiency improvements between the drives, the largest being 7 miles per gallon! Contact the NCSC Clean Transportation program if you are interested in hosting a workshop: 919-513-7831, cleantransportation@ncsu.edu, www.cleantransportation.org.

[media coverage, Gaston Gazette, http://m.gastongazette.com/news/save-57817-gas-collins.html]