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FUEL SAVING TIPS

Energy efficiency in the transport sector

Liquid fuels are compact stores of large amounts of energy that can be used in quite small, simple machines perfectly suited for transport. In the past 20 years, transport has been the only growing sector for the oil industry. In 1995, the transport sector in South Africa consumed 696PJ (Petajoule), which was 28 percent of total final energy demand. Of this, 371PJ was petrol, 147PJ jet fuel, 117PJ fuel oil and 12PJ electricity. Transport is by far the biggest user of liquid fuels in South Africa. Transport, especially road transport, is a very serious source of pollution, affecting human health and the environment. Increased fuel efficiency reduces pollution per vehicle per kilometre. With effect from 1 July 2008, the South African Automotive Industry, in conjunction with the Department of Minerals and Energy, is introducing a standardised fuel economy and CO2 emission testing and labelling system for application to new passenger cars at dealerships. Read more.

Fuel efficiency tips

  • Close the car windows when driving. An open window creates a drag that increases fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent. For a person who spends R100 a week on petrol, a 20 percent saving could mean saving R20 a week, which adds up to R80 a month;
  • Use multigrade oil in your engine because it reduces drag;
  • Service your car regularly;
  • Use a logbook to record your fuel purchases and kilometre travelled to set new economic goals and to spot radical differences in the performance of your vehicle due to mechanical malfunction;
  • Establish lift clubs;
  • Switch to radial-ply tyres because they offer less rolling resistance and longer life than the cross-ply variety;
  • Avoid driving with under-inflated tyres because a tyre pressure that is too low not only increases consumption, but also markedly reduces a tyre's life;
  • Avoid stop-start driving;
  • Accelerate slowly; and
  • Do not speed, the faster you drive the more petrol you use.

Energy efficiency in the agriculture sector

Liquid fuels are compact stores of large amounts of energy that can be used in quite small, simple machines perfectly suited for transport. In the past 20 years, transport has been the only growing sector for the oil industry.