Energy Efficiency in the drivers seat

Energy Efficiency is always the first step when reviewing your energy plan for the next few years. So if you or your business plans to purchase a new vehicle, then it's not just the initial investment, it's about your fuel and running costs. So Ford's ECOnetic Fiesta turbo diesel is certainly one to consider.

According to all the reviews, the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic is more fuel efficient than a Prius, and considerably less in price. Previously, I wasn't a fan of diesels until the development of the particulate filter to reduce emissions - and that's no longer an issue for most modern diesels. Also, the Fiesta ECOnetic claims to produce less than 100gm/km of CO2 emissions, one of the few cars in Australia which meet this standard.

I was taken for a short ride in one of these last week, and the ECOnetic Fiesta is a zippy 5 door manual hatch, with all the now essential USB and Bluetooth mod cons. But the main benefit is the fuel economy, claimed as 3.7L/100km under test conditions, and that will give you a car that goes the distance.

Energy efficiency is not just about turning off your lights and computers. The biggest saving for you and the planet may be in your choice of car. And with fuel prices likely to roller-coaster at any time, the right choice is not just better for the environment, it's also better for your budget and your business.

My pic of Ford Fiesta ECOnetic at Enviro 2010

Oil prices - going up -going down - and up again!

Our economy depends on oil, and the recent price hikes in crude oil are sending shock waves around the planet.  Personally, I think the excessively high prices at this time are driven by market speculation, very akin to the tulip frenzy in Holland some centuries ago. But even if there is a correction, over the next few years, the price of crude oil will rise, prompted by the clear evidence that cheap oil is becoming harder to access.  And, although we still have huge supplies of the stuff -  it now often costs more than the market will reasonably pay, to extract oil  from areas that have peaked, and from new dangerous, remote or deep offshore areas.  

At the same time, the increasing use of vehicles adds to the pressure - in 2007, globally we had about 622 million passenger vehicles, well up from about 53 million in 1950 (according to WorldWatch).  Add emerging China and India to that equation and we have a situation of more demand, and this will seriously impact prices. 

 

There is really only one way out of this - and that is to move, with a degree of urgency, to a non-oil based way of personal and business transportation.  I doubt if the local plumber can turn up to your house, with your new toilet and pipes,  using a push bike or via public transport, so there will have to be an alternative for him and for all those who need to move goods and sell services.  

It's time to review your transport - look at optimising your driving and review your next vehicle purchases.  For short distance driving, consider fully electric, and for longer distances, hybrid cars, or converting your existing vehicles to LPG.  In some areas, biodiesel may be the answer.  Look at whether you could change some your business processes, eg quoting or training,  to online. Rethink your location, combine deliveries and find creative ways to share journeys with others in and around your business.  Take time to plan - work out your dependence on the oil habit and find creative ways to kick your oil addiction. 

Picture ex Flickr World of Oil by Unity.Project