You may not have much control over some factors such as traffic conditions, but you do have control over others, how you drive and how well your car is maintained. A study to measure the in-service fuel consumption of the Australian passenger car fleet was completed for the former Department of Primary Industries and Energy. The study found that on average drivers used 15 per cent more fuel than the Guide figure in city conditions and 34 per cent more in highway driving. The variation in these figures is a powerful demonstration of the effect of differences in driving style, standard of car tuning and other factors. Urban air pollution is the number one public environmental concern in Australia.
Motor vehicles are the major contributor to air pollution in Australia.
By following the tips below you will also help minimise air pollution caused by motor vehicles. To move one tonne of your car around for a year needs approximately 1,400 litres of fuel. Buy the right sized car for your needs - a car that is bigger or more powerful than you need could unnecessarily increase your fuel bills. It is worth noting that fuel consumption can vary considerably among cars of similar size. Before buying a new car, refer to the fuel consumption label and examine the figures on this internet site so that you can consider fuel consumption in your decision.