Fuel use and speed

The mathematics of the fossil fuel use of a vehicle fleet show that the quantity of fuel consumed is directly proportional to the distance travelled and the square of the average speed. During the oil crisis of the 1970s this led to carless days – less distance travelled, along with reduced speed limits – less fuel needed per kilometre travelled.

There are some four to five million vehicles on our roads. A publicity campaign aimed at reducing vehicle use, associated with the lowering of speed limits, could achieve, perhaps, a 10% saving in fuel consumption.

Put another way, this would be equivalent to adding between 400,000 and 500,000 electric vehicles to the national fleet. Compared with the tens of thousands of new electric vehicles per year hoped for from the Government’s tax changes on purchase, this offers an almost immediate, low-cost outcome.

It also would allow a smoother transition to whatever transport modes may be required in the longer term.

Is my logic wrong?

Mike Williams, Tawa