Author:
ROBIN ROBERTS
Turn it off, that’s the message to business drivers in London who want to save money and clean up the capital’s atmosphere.
The Energy Saving Trust is asking motorists in the capital to heed their call for action, and reduce levels of harmful pollutants entering the atmosphere.
Information from TfL (Transport for London) shows that if all central London’s drivers turned off their engines instead of idling for one minute on every journey they make, the city could reduce emissions of harmful particulates which reduce air quality by 90kg a year.
In its call to action the Energy Saving Trust today assures motorists that turning an engine on and off causes less pollution and uses less fuel than keeping it running for one minute.
Research from the Inrix Report indicates that average speeds on key routes through London could be as low as 12mph during the Olympics, with congestion expected to rise by a third. This means drivers are more likely to be held up at junctions, road signals or in stop-start traffic.
Tim Anderson, senior knowledge manager at the Energy Saving Trust said: ‘Turning off engines when it is anticipated that you will be stationary for more than a minute creates a number of benefits by reducing pollution and, by using less fuel, it also saves money.
‘This small, individual step can collectively make a significant difference and help improve life for everyone in London.
‘Many modern vehicles are fitted with start/stop systems which automatically switch off the engine to prevent idling. Research shows that turning off an engine and restarting it after a minute uses less fuel and causes less pollution than leaving it running,’ he added.
Picking a low carbon car will cut your bills as well as give London a breath of fresher air, see our business car reviews to help you decide and company car comparisons to see how they measure up.
