Efficient Driving tests carried out around a typical Birmingham route have revealed that local drivers could cut their fuel costs by as much as £493.78 a year - just by learning to drive more efficiently.

The local people who drove the route in the same Ford ECOnetic Focus car managed it on average an amazing 37 per cent less economically than an expert driver from BP Ultimate’s Great British Fuel Efficiency Challenge.

The savings would equate to £493.78 a year for a driver who does 10,000 miles a year.  And they would reduce harmful C02 emissions by 1.2 tonnes. 

Now drivers in Birmingham are being challenged to learn the efficient driving techniques for themselves.

Sue Horler said: “BP Ultimate Unleaded can already give up to 28 miles more per tank compared with ordinary fuel- and now we want to help drivers go even further.”

The Great British Fuel Efficiency Challenge comes to the city from July 7-9.  Economical fuel and driving experts from BP Ultimate will be giving free Efficient Driving lessons all over Birminghamin association with Ford and supporting ACTONCO2.

They are also offering Top Tip seminars for companies who want their employees to learn how to reduce fuel costs.

Drivers and companies can put their names down for a 20 minute lesson in a new Ford Focus ECOnetic run on BP Ultimate fuel or 20 minute company seminars by going to www.gbfuelefficiencychallenge.co.uk. Drivers of all abilities and confidence levels are welcome - it’s not an exam!

Sue Horler: “Our specially developed in-car computer reveals the effect on fuel efficiency of every squeeze of the accelerator and each stab of the brakes.

“It’s amazing how much further we can take drivers who learn the basics of Efficient Driving.”

Speed hump and roundabout master-classes:

New computer-controlled testing by BP Ultimate’s driving experts has revealed how a non-efficient approach to tackling speed humps and roundabouts can send fuel consumption soaring.    The tests reveal that drivers can as much as halve the fuel they use every time they drive over a speed bump or go through a roundabout.    

Said driving expert Anthony Sale:  “Stamping on the brakes and then accelerating hard is efficient driving’s worst enemy.   An efficient driver is a smooth driver.” 

“With speed humps, people often drive up to them at 30mph, brake hard, take the bump and then accelerate hard away before braking again for the next one.  That’s disastrous for fuel economy.  Try driving along speed humped roads at a steady 15-20 mph instead.”

He continued:  “The roundabouts around Birmingham can have a massive effect on fuel consumption too, potentially doubling the fuel used if you brake hard as you approach and then accelerate quickly to get round.”

“Try reducing your approach speed so you minimize braking and accelerating.   If you coast more slowly up to the roundabout, keeping the car in gear but taking your foot off the gas, you can often then filter safely into a gap in the traffic, rather than having to stop and start again.  It’s by far the most efficient way and can reduce the fuel used by up to 50 per cent.”

To see Anthony driving the most fuel-efficient way around Birminghamand hear his top tips go to www.gbfuelefficiencychallenge.co.uk