Motorists can significantly reduce their fuel costs by utilizing the cruise control feature in their vehicles, according to experts from Radius, the leading fuel card provider in the UK. The specialists emphasize that this simple switch can save drivers between £1.35 and £1.65 in fuel for every hour of driving.
The cruise control function is designed to help maintain a steady speed, which is crucial for minimizing fuel consumption. Drivers typically use the most fuel during acceleration and deceleration, making it essential to sustain a consistent pace. Despite its potential benefits, cruise control remains underutilized, with many motorists unaware of how to use it effectively. This is surprising given that it is a standard feature in nearly all modern vehicles.
Understanding the Benefits of Cruise Control
Kerry Fawcett, a specialist at Radius, explained the functionality of cruise control, stating, “Cruise control is designed to keep your car moving at a steady speed without you having to keep your foot on the accelerator. Once you reach your desired speed on a flat stretch of road, you simply press the cruise control button to ‘set’ it; the system then maintains that speed automatically.”
Fawcett added that drivers can easily override the system by pressing the brake or accelerator. On flat, steady motorway journeys, using cruise control can enhance fuel efficiency by approximately 14%. This efficiency translates to significant savings across the board; if all drivers used cruise control effectively, the potential savings could reach as much as £120 million annually.
According to Radius, these fuel savings calculations are based on typical UK motorway driving conditions at 70 mph. The analysis assumes a standard vehicle fuel economy of 40 mpg for petrol vehicles and 50 mpg for diesel vehicles. At this consistent speed, cars are estimated to consume around 7.96 litres of petrol and 6.36 litres of diesel per hour.
Potential Impact on Fuel Spending
Daily, over 200,000 vehicles travel on the UK’s busiest motorways. If all of these motorists employed cruise control, it could result in daily fuel savings between £270,000 and £330,000. This insight underscores the significant financial impact that a simple feature can have when utilized properly.
The experts highlight that consistent-speed driving data indicates cruise control typically improves fuel efficiency by about 14%. This generally equates to savings of approximately 1.11 litres of petrol and 0.89 litres of diesel for every hour spent on the road.
As fuel prices continue to fluctuate, understanding and maximizing the use of available technologies like cruise control becomes increasingly important for drivers seeking to manage their expenses effectively.
