Eco-Driving the easyVan way
posted: Oct 16, 2007

Even in this modern world it is possible to be an eco-friendly driver. easyVan achieved the lowest fuel consumption in the van section of the two day MPG Marathon 2007. The 350 mile journey in the South West of England demonstrated how “eco-driving” can reduce both emissions and fuel costs with responsible motoring.

Drive & Survive Marketing Manager Steve Johnson managed a highly creditable 55.04mpg in the Mercedes Vito 109 CDi. “This is actually the highest figure we have ever recorded in any MPG Marathon for a Panel Van,” said Ross Durkin of organiser’s Fleet World magazine, “and is made even more impressive by the fact that the vans were running the whole event with half their gross payload on-board.”

easyVan.com, which provides on average 1,000 vehicles per month to the general public on short term hire throughout the UK, participated in the MPG Marathon to raise awareness about the economic impact of “eco-driving” and to support the collective challenge facing the motor industry of reducing carbon emissions.

easyVan is a partnership between easyCar.com and Northgate plc, the market leader for light commercial vehicle hire in both UK and Spain. Nick Skillman, Business Development Director of Northgate plc, was delighted that through “eco-driving”, an easyVan vehicle was able to achieve higher miles per gallon than the manufacturer’s best estimates.

“Encouraging fuel efficiency through smarter driving, not only reduces the individual driver’s costs in rising fuel markets, but reduces the environmental impact of emissions,” said Nick.

The Mercedes Vito 109 CDi, liveried easyVan, has previously averaged 37mgp in independent road tests conducted by Commercial Motor and What Van? Steve Johnson explained that the defensive driving tactics that he employed raised the miles per gallon to 55.04 during the MPG Marathon. “Maintaining concentration, observation and anticipation, particularly accommodating other road users around us and timing my arrival at junctions to avoid stopping, enabled me to maintain a fairly even pace and thus reduce fuel consumption.”