Green driving: Simple measures like keeping your tyres inflated will save the environment and reduce fuel costs said TfL
When the instructor told me to drive as I usually would for half of our lesson, over-revving the engine and then stalling at the first set of traffic lights was probably not what he had in mind.
At least it provided an opening for his first point - speeding up smoothly uses less fuel than sharp braking and heavy acceleration.
According to Transport for London (TfL), cars are the third biggest contributor to people's carbon emissions.
It estimated that if every one of London's drivers adopted a few smarter driving techniques then the potential fuel savings would be enough to fill the Royal Albert Hall twice, or 73 Olympic swimming pools.
In order to get car owners to think about reducing their carbon emissions, TfL has launched a Smarter Driving Campaign.
Six steps
Robert Daines, 54, who has been a driving instructor for 14 years, talked me through the six steps to greener motoring.
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"If you drive in higher gears, you can save £5 per tank," he said. "Drivers should try to change gear between 2,000 and 2,500 revs per minute. Listen to the engine, if it does not complain then you're OK."
Mr Daines also said keeping tyres inflated to the right pressure and removing excess clutter from the boot of the car could also save on fuel, as under-inflated tyres and excess weight increased fuel consumption.
In addition, leaving the engine running to warm it up and making lots of short trips uses more fuel.
Although initially sceptical when he first went on the green driving course, Mr Daines said he was soon converted to the idea after noticing he was saving money.
He has since become a passionate advocate for the new style of driving, but insisted taking cars off the roads was not the answer.
“Don’t ban the motor car, but teach the motorist to adapt their ways."
Robert Daines
"Don't ban the motor car, but teach the motorist to adapt their ways," he said.
Reducing emissions
TfL's campaign is part of London Mayor Ken Livingstone's climate change action plan, which aims to cut the city's emissions by 60 per cent by 2025.
Jenny Jones, a Green Party London Assembly member, said: "This is a challenge to anyone who thinks they are a good driver. The new talking point will not just be the price of petrol, but how long you can make a tank of the stuff last. If you have to drive, drive well."
According to Mr Daines, planning journeys and thinking about the road ahead while driving are the most simple ways to save fuel.
He said: "Think about avoiding heavy traffic and congestion and look at the road ahead. If you are coming up to a roundabout or traffic lights, slow down well in advance so you don't have to stop suddenly."
After half-an-hour on the road I was beginning to get the feel for greener driving. I asked Mr Daines if he taught his students along the same lines.
He said that it would make sense for green techniques to be incorporated into driving tests. "Driving is changing, after all we have to think about the planet now," he said.
Six green tips
Speeding up and slowing down smoothly to use less fuel.
Keep tyres inflated to the correct pressure.
Change gears at lower revs - between 2,000 and 2,500.
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