Idling the engine is costing you money.

Less than 5% of drivers switch off their engine in a rush hour standstill.  But according to Trimble, a mobile resource management company, if more drivers got into this simple habit they would save money on fuel – while reducing their impact on the environment as well.

“If a driver is parked at the side of the road to complete paperwork, to make a call or even to make a delivery which lasts more than ten seconds, the engine should be switched off,” said Andrew Yeoman, the MD of Trimble MRM.  “Idling the engine for more than ten seconds uses up more fuel than switching off and restarting again.”  

For every two minutes the engine is idling, enough fuel is wasted to have driven one mile. 

“Road transport is the third largest source of UK greenhouse gases and accounts for more than 20% of total emissions,” he added.  “It is easy to leave the engine running while taking care of other things, but the vehicle is being ineffective and burning excessive fuel. 

“Businesses need to be aware that even small changes in their drivers’ behaviour can impact the environment significantly.  By identifying where fuel wastage is occurring and stopping it, they can do their bit for climate change.”