As oil prices reach record highs of $50 (€41) a barrel, motorists have been told they can cut their fuel bills by more than 13 per cent by making "simple behavioural changes" in the way they drive.
AA Ireland has estimated that the price of petrol in Ireland will rise by up to seven cents per litre in the next three to four weeks if global oil prices do not fall from its $50 high. AA spokesman, Conor Faughnan said that prices at the pumps would continue to rise if the latest rise in global oil prices was sustained.
However, according to Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), slowing down and making your vehicle as aerodynamic as possible can also help cut down your fuel costs and also reduce greenhouse gases.
Speaking at the end of Energy Awareness Week 2004, the SEI's head of customer services Tom Halpin said cars were a "vital component of transport in Ireland", but that those who have to use a car regularly "must play their part in adopting more energy efficient habits."
Motorists can reduce fuel consumption by 29 per cent, emission levels by 36 per cent and noise levels by 46 per cent by driving at 50 mph rather than 70 mph, according to a guide published by SEI.
Switching off the rear window de-mister can reduce consumption by up to five per cent, while keeping windows closed and using the air vents instead can reduce consumption by five per cent at 50 mph or 10 per cent at 70 mph. Keeping the sunroof closed can reduce consumption by about 4 per cent.
Driving aggressively can increase consumption by up to 12 per cent, the SEI claims, and can result in 30 to 40 per cent more pollution.
Reductions in consumption can also be achieved by avoiding short journeys, reducing speed in plenty of time before red lights and turning the engine off if idle for more than 30 seconds, the SEI says.
It is timely advice. Fuel prices in Ireland have remained consistently high.
Meanwhile, research has begun in NUI Galway into an alternative to petrol and diesel. Researchers in the newly-opened Environmental Change Institute (ECI) are examining the possibilities offered by biodiesel, the only alternative fuel which can be used in any existing unmodified diesel engine.
Biodiesel is renewable, being derived from vegetable oils and animal fats. It would limit dependence on foreign fuel supplies. Professor John Simmie, speaking at the official opening of the ECI last week, said current supplies of conventional fuels would run out in the foreseEable future.
"Oil production has peaked in 52 out of 99 oil producing countries," he said. "It's estimated that oil will be depleted by 2030. Research into alternatives is vital if we are to maintain energy levels going forward."
Simmie also called on the Government to curtail SUVs and reduce engine sizes.
"The rising level of affluence in Irish society is having detrimental affects on our environment," he said, "especially with the introduction of larger engines and the growing attraction of SUVs. The Government must curtail SUVs which guzzle fuel and emit twice as much carbon dioxide as ordinary cars."
