Are you a green driver? THE search is on to find Great Britain's most economical motorist, says CHRIS RUSSON

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 30, 2008

Byline: CHRIS RUSSON

THE hunt is on for Britain's greenest driver. The Energy Saving Trust has teamed up with Ford to find the nation's most economical motorist.

Getting the most out of each precious gallon of fuel not only saves money as pump prices hit new highs but also reduces harmful CO2 emissions.

The competition is being launched at the Sexy Green Car Show at Cornwall's Eden Project where Ford is launching its new range of low CO2 ECOnetic models.

Motorists will compete at six regional heats and the Focus ECOnetic models they will be driving have a combined fuel consumption figure of almost 66mpg - resulting in class-leading emissions of 114g2/km.

Andy Taylor, Ford's sustainability director, said: "Designing and manufacturing fuel-efficient cars such as the Ford ECOnetic range becomes even more meaningful when linked to other measures to reduce emissions.

"Smooth and smart driving plays a huge but often unrecognised part in motoring - both financially as well as environmentally. "

Nigel Underdown, Energy Saving Trust head of transport advice, said: "The Energy Saving Trust believes that typical savings of 15 per cent - in litres, pounds and CO2 - are achievable and realistic by adopting smarter driving techniques. Drivers will welcome the savings as fuel prices reach record levels and it will also help address global warming by reducing CO2 emissions."

The contents will start at the Murrayfield Stadium, in Edinburgh, on July 5, then Longleat, Wiltshire, on July 12; the Blue Reef Aquarium, Tynemouth, July 19; London International Motor Show, ExCel, from July 22; Knowsley Park, Merseyside, August 9; and the West Midlands Safari Park, Worcs, on August 16.

Candidates will be given the chance to show their existing eco driving skills by having their fuel consumption andCO2 output recorded.

Following a session of eco driving instruction from the Energy Saving Trust a second mpg/CO2 reading is produced - accompanied by the improvement expressed as an annual fuel saving.

Each regional winner will be rewarded with the loan of a 1.6-litre Ford Focus ECOnetic - with the option of a tour of Ford's wind-powered Dagenham Diesel Centre .

The overall winner will receive a home 'eco makeover' worth pounds 10,000, which will also result in lower utility bills.

Tips for eco-motoring TOP tips for eco-driving are:

Change up through the gears at between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm

Ease your speed where appropriate. Driving at 70mph uses around 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph

Anticipate to avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking

Use auxiliary equipment, such as air conditioning, selectively

Switch off the engine whenever safe to do so

Check and adjust tyre pressures regularly, according to load and speed driven

Remove unnecessary cargo from the car to reduce weight

Reduce aerodynamic drag whenever possible, eg close windows or remove roof racks

CAPTION(S):

MONEY SAVING - the Ford ECOnetic, on show at the Eden Project, will cut fuel costs