Listening to a friend over the weekend talk about how much he uses his car (and how much it is costing him) got me wondering about what kinds of things people are doing to save fuel when driving. I’m lucky since I don’t have to use the car that often, but I still try and do things like avoid the after work rush and only use it when it’s really needed.
The fuelsaver.govt.nz website has got a lot of good information, but I’d really like to here what things you guys are doing to try and save fuel. Do drive less? Do you plan your journey out to the last km? What about filling up at certain times of the day or only at certain places? Enlighten me people!
Submitted by Andrew on 23 June 2008 15:33:00
Comments
I ride a motorbike instead of driving a car.
I expect my ride home in gale force winds over the Auckland Harbour Bridge this evening will be exciting. It's worth it though. My tank takes about 10 litres of petrol and I get more than 200 km per tank.
Submitted by Lindis on 25 June 2008 16:33:58
I ride my bike to work everyday
Submitted by Kimeros on 26 June 2008 11:42:00
Thanks guys. Lindis, I spent eight years in Auckland, so I know how hard it is to get around, and I guess your bike also helps with the traffic there as well.
Did you make the choice to change to a motorbike to save money, or do you just like them?
Submitted by Andrew on 26 June 2008 14:21:02
Hi Andrew.
My motorbike certainly does help with traffic and parking issues, as well as saving fuel. It is very practical for my particular commuting route - unfortunately push bikes are not allowed on the harbour bridge and my commute is 20km each way. (We chose to live very close to my partner's work and further away from mine.) If I took public transport my commute would take at least three times as long and cost me much, much more.
I originally decided to buy a scooter some years ago, as a move towards more sustainable personal transport. I was also following the "peak oil" issue and expected fuel prices to rise considerably. I especially wanted a four-stroke manual scooter, with enough power that I could ride it on the motorway. In the end I realised that I was actually talking about a motorbike!
After a lot of looking and a lot of research I ended up getting a 250cc Suzuki about 18 months ago. I immediately found myself looking forward to my daily commute and getting genuine pleasure out of riding. Last weekend I rode to Hamilton to visit my mother, and the weekend before I rode from Auckland to Cape Reinga and back. I simply have no need for a car any more.
Submitted by Lindis on 1 July 2008 13:28:40