With the worlds population becoming increasingly aware that human activity has a direct impact on the planets environment, more governments, businesses and individuals are taking action to minimise the risk that we face from global warming.

Many initiatives have been introduced at all levels to help combat the problem. For example governments agreeing a maximum output level of harmful gasses from industry, retail chains engaging their customers to use less plastic bags and individuals intent of lowering their “carbon footprint” by using less energy in their every day life.

A further example comes from the insurance industry. This sector is also keen to ensure that their part of the fight against global warming is met. Road traffic is a major concern. One of the single largest pollutants worldwide comes from exhaust fumes from cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles. However, to minimise the harmful output from vehicles, many insurance companies have designed a new type of insurance known generally as “eco car insurance”.

Eco car insurance is a product designed to benefit drivers with lower premiums in return for driving economically, which in turn reduces emissions from a vehicle and lowers the risk of accidents. Some insurers have termed this incentive as “eco driving” where certain methods and styles of driving are more beneficial to the environment.

Examples of eco driving are as follows:

• More efficient acceleration by changing up to a gear at no more than 2500 Rpm (manual gear shift vehicles);
• Driving at low engine speeds to reduce fuel consumption;
• Accelerate very gently to encourage a gear change at low speeds (automatic vehicles);
• Turn off ‘sports mode’;
• Drive at a steady speed to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration to increase fuel efficiency;
• Releasing the accelerator at the earliest point before braking;
• Turn the engine off if idling for over two minutes;
• Remove unnecessary items and luggage from the vehicle if not in use to reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency;
• Remove roof-racks and bicycle carriers if not in use to improve aerodynamics and increase fuel efficiency;
• Keep the tyre pressure to the manufacturers recommended level. Under-inflated tyres can add 2% to fuel consumption and are also dangerous;
• Typically average use of air conditioning adds 5% to a vehicle’s fuel consumption over the course of a year.
• Use cruise control where possible. This promotes a smooth driving experience and is also beneficial for fuel consumption.

The above outlines some examples of eco driving styles. It is these factors that insurance companies look for in rewarding drivers with eco car insurance.

The benefits of eco driving are advantageous for many reasons. Lower CO² emissions results in a lower local air pollution rate, beneficial to the overall effect of global warming. For the motorist, this style of driving will award you with lower premiums for insurance purposes as well lower vehicle maintenance costs, driver stress and accident rates. The insurance company benefits by a paying out less insurance claims due to a lower number of accidents.

In order to qualify for eco car insurance, the vehicle for which the insurance is intended must be compatible with the insurer’s equipment that is a requirement to be fitted to the vehicle. This equipment monitors the driving style and efficiency of the driver and vehicle in order ascertain that they are in fact driving in an economical style.

Typical examples of statistics monitored by insurers include the following:

• Total mileage, journey time and number of journeys made;
• CO² emissions
• Level of engine revving;
• Sharp or smooth breaking;
• Engine idling time;
• Acceleration;
• The time at constant speeds;
• Miles per gallon.

The combination of the above data will result in an overall rating by the insurance company whereby the better the rating, the lower the insurance premium. The more efficiently someone drives the more beneficial it is to the driver, the environment, the insurance company and the vehicle itself.

Every motorist can contribute to helping the environment and eco car insurance is a good place to start while at the same time benefiting financially.

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