News & Media > Sustainability

19:03:2010

May Gurney promotes eco-driving techniques

May Gurney employees have been putting fuel-saving methods - and their motoring skills - to the test in an eco-driving competition.

The event, organised by economic development partnership Shaping Norfolk's Future, saw teams of three drivers take a brief tour of a virtual city using driving simulators, which record fuel use per 100km.

May Gurney has made a commitment to count its carbon emissions by 50% by the end of 2012, and to be carbon neutral two years later.

Last year May Gurney used 13,712,849 litres of fuel, and emitted 36,064 tonnes of carbon dioxide from fuel usage alone – 93% of the company’s total emissions – so reducing fuel consumption is crucial to achieving these targets.

One of the initiatives May Gurney has introduced is ‘Slim’ – a driver-training programme focusing on reducing speed, driving efficiently to maximise litres, reducing idle-time and better journey planning to cut mileage. All May Gurney employees will have received Slim training by March 2010.

In the eco driving competition, May Gurney competed with around 50 other businesses and dozens of other organisations including Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.

The three teams with the lowest average emissions will receive free eco-driving training from Norfolk County Council and a track day at Lotus in one of the company's bio-fuel cars.

Andrew Sykes, Norfolk County Council road safety officer, who gave teams tips on eco-driving techniques, said: "The key thing is to create a smooth flow in your driving.

"You need to anticipate traffic to reduce the number of times you have to stop and start, use the accelerator progressively and use the foot brake early, stopping without going down through the gears."

Mr Sykes added: "We have found with a small amount of advice we have seen dramatic results, with some teams reducing their fuel use and therefore emissions by more than half. This is borne out in real terms when we take people out on the road, and result in real savings."

Click here to read more about May Gurney's approach to sustainability.