Eco-scheme saves van drivers £425 a year

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Government invests £1.2 million
Van drivers subsidised to attend eco-course
Average fuel savings are 16%

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White van man is going green, after the Department of Transport agreed to invest an additional £1.2 million in environmental driver training.

The Safe and Fuel Efficient Drivers (SAFED) scheme encourages fuel-efficient driving techniques.

It has trained 7800 drivers at a cost of £2.2 million since its launch in 2006.

The course lasts one day and involves a mix of classroom and on-the-road training.

Areas of particular focus include more efficient use of gears and braking, maintaining correct braking distances and better road awareness.

The additional funding will be used to train more instructors and assessors, so that 6500 more van drivers can go on the course in the next three years.

Previous participants have achieved an average 16% improvement in fuel consumption since taking the course, which amounts to a potential annual fuel saving of £3.3 million, or an average annual fuel saving of £425 per van driver.

Potential trainers, assessors and participants can apply for a share of the £1.2 million of funding to cover part of the costs of attending the courses.

Details are available by contacting the Department for Transport on 0870 190 8440.