Green Building Forum - Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

SteamyTea — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 14:50:02 +0100

Quite simple this one. We tend to change our cars more often than our housing (we rarely knock down and rebuild).

So I thought about finding out what could be saved by changing a vehicle.

So a few simple questions (can we try not to make it too complicated, honest estimates will do). From the data I shall try and find out the official figures and see what difference it would make.

1: What is your present car (make, model, trim, fuel type, age)

2: Annual Mileage

3: What vehicle are you thinking of getting next

4: Dream 'Eco' Vehicle

5: Dream Vehicle

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

Ed Davies — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:31:26 +0100

Toyota, Hiace, , diesel, 54 reg, 12'000 miles I think.

Once done with the house, I'm seriously considering getting rid of the vehicle altogether. Site is 1 km up a track from a bus route which works reasonably well in the day time and it's only another km to the village with doctors, small shop, post office, etc, and I don't go out that much. For the cost of having a car to hand you can pay for a lot of buses, taxis and trains and home delivery of groceries. Either that or a small petrol hatchback, Citroen C1 or the like.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

skyewright — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:56:10 +0100

1. VW Polo, 52 reg (2003?)
2. 1500 miles (or less)
3. Hope this will last a good while yet.
4. Community scheme shared vehicle.
5. See above.

Edit to add:
15 miles from the nearest shop. In the early 2000's we managed for 2 years without a car. The bus service is better now than it was then (more than one each way a day now), but is under almost constant threat and connections are poor (nigh on impossible to go anywhere beyond the 15 mile location & back in a day - not that we often want to go further). Due to nature & condition of the roads the bus is very uncomfortable which is a significant issue for SWMBO (the journey would be free for her, but she'd take several days to recover from the experience...).

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

SteamyTea — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:57:37 +0100

Thanks Ed

Do you have answers for 4 and 5 ?

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

barney — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 16:00:48 +0100

BMW 2 series MSport Coupe(228i) - 2000cc petrol - 12 months old - annual mileage is easily 20,000 depending on where the client is

Most of my mileage is business, I'd probably do less than 3 - 4k annum for private use

It's a company car, my choice. For my own use, I'd settle for something more modest - including an electric vehicle (maybe) - for those occasional longer private journeys, then I'd hire a car.

Where I live is probably just a bit rural to be able to make use of poor public transport with no car

Regards

Barney

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

Hairlocks — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 16:03:07 +0100

Skoda Fabia Greenline, diesel, 2010 16000 miles (purchased 1 year ago when previous car died)
Landrover discovery 2, diesel, 2002 probably 4000 miles (just acquired)

thought about Nissian leaf, but would have been only car. daily commute is 27 miles each way, not sure leaf would have really coped in winter.

dream Vehicle, Tesla S. Waiting for Tesla 3, twice the rang of the leaf, parents and in-laws about 125 miles away.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

GarethC — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 16:09:37 +0100

1. Skoda Superb Greenline Estate 1.6L diesel, 2012 (purchased 6 months ago when family got too big for the Skoda Fabia Greenline 1.4L diesel, also estate, also 2012).
2. 8k
3. Mitsubishi Outlander plug in hybrid (if I can afford it)
4. Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell
5. Solar powered private jet

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

fostertom — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 16:18:48 +0100

1. Shared fleet:
'08 Toyota IQ petrol, bought at 5k now 65k
'00 Merc ML320 petrol 4x4 (for caravan and in case we get snowed in/flood marooned, hasn't happened in 4yrs since bought at 65k, now 85k
'97 Fiat Punto mk1 Cabrio petrol, my viable toy but needs replacement bottom end before summer (oh dear it's already here), mileage irrelevant if maintained
Other interesting Fiats but have to accept I'll never get them together - '69 124AC mk1 Coupe, '85 Uno 70SX

2. Between 2 of us/3 cars, 15-20k

3. May just convert the Merc to gas, sell the IQ. No other plans.

4. All-electric, once they get gd range and affordable s/h price/economics i.e. batteries not about to need replacement

5. '72 Fiat Dino mk2 2.4 Coupe

Walk my talk? No way.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

Ed Davies — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 16:24:56 +0100

Posted By: SteamyTeaDo you have answers for 4 and 5 ?

No, not really beyond what I've already said. Don't much like cars - they're just a means to an end as far as I'm concerned. Electric cars as they exist now wouldn't really suite as I either do small distances, in which case who cares what it burns, or a long way (450 miles each way to nearest family, for example) in which case recharging and so on would be a hassle.

Solar powered private jet â€¦hmmmâ€¦ now we're talking. Particularly as most of my friends tend to lurk on or near airfields. Doubt I could get my PPL medical back, though.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

alexc — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:53:46 +0100

Shared Car
Skoda Citgo Jan 2013 (new) 8000Km /year, petrol.
I drive the long journeys , wife commutes with it.
Ditched last car in 2009, hired instead. Spreadsheet war with mates indicates same cost doing 12 hires over weekends at same cost as 5-10 year old car. New cars simply way more costly, old cars having been paid for.

Possibly new car is Skoda Fabia Greenline, diesel. But tax on diesel is heading very high. Yearly car Tax in NL is getting very high for diesel(over 1544 euro for the later). Current range of cars indicates a Fabia/308 with a tow hook. Petrol...

Dream car : I like idea of having something that can haul big amounts but uses little energy. Thus : some undeveloped /unseen Estate(aerodynamic large thing). I'll never get one as the wife can't handle large motors/no justification.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

Paul in Montreal — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 18:33:26 +0100

1: What is your present car (make, model, trim, fuel type, age)

2001 Mazda Miata 1.8l petrol 6 speed 145,000km on the clock, bought new in May 2001, not driven in winter
2006 Mazda 3 2.3l petrol 172,000km on the clock

2: Annual Mileage

Miata: 8-12,000 km - depends on the weather to an extent
Mazda 3 - 8-12000km

3: What vehicle are you thinking of getting next
No plans at present

4: Dream 'Eco' Vehicle
Tesla Model S 85D in "insane" mode

5: Dream Vehicle
Private Jet :)

Paul in Montreal.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

RobL — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 18:35:48 +0100

Mondeo 2l diesel, 2008. 40 mpg av, 50 if keep to the slow lane of the motorway.
8000miles/ year, split evenly between wifes commute and longer hols to Ireland etc
If we had 2 cars, or car-shared/hired for the holiday use, then an electric one for the commute. It's 6 miles each way, mainly 60/70 limit, so would be a new expensive electric one.
Dream eco - ditch car, persuade wife to cycle every day! Doesn't answer the hols use tho, thats whatever takes 4+dog+luggage with best efficiency on motorways. Tesla? Can't help but think elec is best for town use tho, and that's beaten hand down by a bike!
Don't care that much for cars anymore tbh. Live in Cambridge, you're always in a jam in one, best get on a bike.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

markocosic — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 19:35:01 +0100

1: What is your present car (make, model, trim, fuel type, age)

Honda Insight, petrol/electric 1.0L, 2000, 173k (currently for sale on eBay @ Â£2,749)
Mazda MX5, petrol 1.8L, 2000, 30-150k (grandfather's axe - depends on which bit you're asking about)

2: Annual Mileage

32k over the past 5 years

3: What vehicle are you thinking of getting next

Something less than 3.5 metres long and 1.5 metres wide, under 750 kg, with 100-150 kW available on tap and RWD please. If McLaren made a "200 S" rather than a "650 S" that'd be in the right ball park. Alfa Romeo could make a 4C that rode/handled and had been on a diet.

Alas those rich enough to buy new cars have no taste so there's nothing of any quality for sale at the moment.

4: Dream 'Eco' Vehicle

Folding pushbike with electric assist
(to avoid arriving in a pile of sweat and a suit per current pushbike/train/pushbike arrangements)

Electric Austin 7 Special
(tax free, MOT free, almost free to insure, almost free to fuel, depreciation free, and an absolute riot for local journeys)

5: Dream Vehicle

A barnful of oddball customised classics. Old school charm bastardised with modern underpinnings.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

Chris P Bacon — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 19:53:19 +0100

1: What is your present car (make, model, trim, fuel type, age)

2006 VW Passat Estate 2.0 FSI petrol 220,000kms purchased 5 years ago with 125,000kms on the clock

2: Annual Mileage

Around 25,000kms but I just moved job and have a 52km each way commute so if I stick it mileage is likely to be 35k-40k a year.

3: What vehicle are you thinking of getting next

Thinking about a 2010/11 Toyota Prius 1.8, whatever I get I will try to resist the temptation to go diesel due to the particulate emissions. As a recent study showed official emission figures are for the most part a thing of fiction when compared to the real world figures.

http://www.theicct.org/real-world-exhaust-emissions-modern-diesel-cars

4: Dream 'Eco' Vehicle

Would love to work from home and ditch the car in favour of a "Built to tilt" MK1-E for runs to the post office 3.2kms away and the supermarket 17.8kms away in the other direction. Cycle paths all the way to both (and most other places around here.)

http://www.butchersandbicycles.com/

5: Dream Vehicle

Alfa Romeo RZ.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

gravelld — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 20:04:29 +0100

1. Basic Golf Mk 4 petrol 2002, 113k miles. Just passed MOT (wahey!)

2. About 10k miles

3. Something larger - family + dog to accommodate. Maybe a touring estate.

4. Driver-less electric car with 500 mile range (you did say dream)

5. Mercedes SL500 AMG version

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

DandJ — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 21:21:15 +0100

Present:
2010 Skoda Octavia 1.6 diesel. Private car and for wife's work. 12k per year
2008 Renault Kangoo 1.5 diesel van. My work. 20k per year.
1996 Landrover Defender 110, mainly for towing and rural winters, but largely because I like Defenders. 2k per year

I should change the van next. Probably a Peugeot Partner, 3 seats in front for kid carrying when necessary. I would like to change to an electric van if I could be happy with the cost and range, but I think it will happen before too long.

Dream eco would be a 100mpg Defender!!! Dream is the word right.

Dream car. JE Engineering Zulu, 500bhp supercharged V8 Defender. Have you noticed a pattern yet?

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

PeterStarck — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 08:21:45 +0100

1. 2007 Honda Civic 1.8 EX I-VTEC.

2.Last year 18000 miles, now both retired this year 7000 miles.

3. Honda Jazz (Hybrid?).

4.Tesla Model S

5. 1930s Electric Slipper Boat

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

Chris P Bacon — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:05:39 +0100

@ST

You haven't given us your info! ;-)

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

fostertom — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:16:17 +0100

or your preliminary findings

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

owlman — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:24:39 +0100

1. Toyota Auris, 2l, diesel, 07,

2. 10-12000

3. Plug in Hybrid, ( when the right model comes along)

4. All Electric, when I can be absolutely certain of the batteries, and they wont let me down in my rural location.

5. Cars are a necessary evil and I'm not really a fan and I don't care much about them. If pushed however I'd say one with a lighter coloured interior, like my Auris, sadly no longer available, I hate the dark sombre interiors, which appears to be the only option available now. Lighter interiors make for a more spacious feel. Adaptability e.g. cargo carrying capacity.
Then again maybe a motor bike.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

Chris P Bacon — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:38:55 +0100

Posted By: owlmanThen again maybe a motor bike

A Lightning LS-218 perhaps?

World's fastest production motorbike and it's all electric.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

owlman — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:49:33 +0100

Or something like this.

http://www.knucklehead-bobbers.com/1939_knucklehead/1939_harley_knucklehead_bobber.php

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

SteamyTea — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 14:38:22 +0100

Posted By: Chris P BaconYou haven't given us your info! ;-)

Probably as I am not thinking of changing car.

Posted By: fostertomor your preliminary findings

I have been out at the Food Festival today. I am slowly trying to decipher some of the info, and get the official figures for stuff. Going to take a bit of time.
Struggling to make sense of your data Tom, do I divide your mileage across the 3 vehicles?

There is also the 'trim' issue, there are often many different engine size/powers within a trim. Maybe trim was the wrong term to use. As a default I just pick something in the middle of the range.

This is really about finding out how much energy could be saved by vehicle choice and comparing it to how much can be saved by modifying a house.
So work in progress.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

wookey — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 22:11:41 +0100

1: What is your present car (make, model, trim, fuel type, age)

Peugeot Expert (self-built camper), 1.9TD, Diesel, 17 years (currently SORNed)

2: Annual Mileage

4000

3: What vehicle are you thinking of getting next

No idea - something of a dilemma. I'd like an EV, but as 90% of mileage is long trips to rural places around UK/Europe I'm not aware of any direct replacement. Could just get used to somewhat shorter-hop travel and less independence. Or I could build something again. Or give up campering and do B&B instead. Maybe we should just rent something as required and have no car/van.

4: Dream 'Eco' Vehicle

I don't dream about vehicles. The Ridgeback Flight 04 (hub gear fast commuting bike) was very nice before it got nicked.

5: Dream Vehicle

As 4. I had a go in a 'roller-skate' once - that was jolly good fun. It might have been a Caterham?

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

GaryB — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 10:18:20 +0100

1. BMW 525 SE diesel, 2004. My wife's car is a 2003 Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi petrol. It doubles as a van if we need to carry anything.

2. Annual mileage 21,000, mostly business or commuting. My wife would do circa 5,000 miles, mostly commuting.

3. Ideally an Audi A5 Sportback diesel. I need 4 doors for family transport and a hatchback for practicality. I used to have an A5 3.0 TDi Quattro company car and loved it, except for the 2 door restriction and the crippling personal tax code, hence the current policy of private car and mileage.

4. Easy answer - Tesla S.

5. As 4. Wife's preference would be a petrol convertible such as Mercedes SLK.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

SteamyTea — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 11:36:02 +0100

Slowly going though getting the MPG and CO2 data for all your cars. Generally used Parker's as the guide, or if I could not find your model then car-emissions.com. I am not trying to replicate exactly what you experience, just thought it may be interesting to see how much energy is used. I have also compared your current usage to a Toyota Auris Hybrid (apparently pronounced Cockney accent Harris). I know nothing about the Auris, but it seems a middle of the range car that is hybrid.
So taking myself as an example, I could save bout 9000 kWh/year by changing my car to the Toyota. I now use about 4000 kWh/year at home.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

owlman — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 12:55:58 +0100

I think they are also UK built ST which may affect your results.
It also has a good pedigree, being derived from the Corolla. Some would say boring, but unreliable, is not something you could level at it. I'm waiting for their plug in hybrid version, which doesn't seem to be anywhere on the horizon yet.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

GaryB — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 12:59:56 +0100

As one of the worst offenders I would state in my defence that our SDP mileage is around 4,000 for my car and just 1,000 for my wife's car - around a fifth of the total.

That would be around 6,000 kWh per annum. Our latest figures for our household energy are 5,500 kWh for heating / DHW and 2,700 kWh electricity. Once the ASHP is up and running this summer I would expect that our total houshold energy will drop to circa 4,500 kWh.

So, even excluding business and commuting, we will be using more FF energy for transport than for the home.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

fostertom — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 13:13:56 +0100

Oi I'm all left out - is that because

Posted By: SteamyTeaStruggling to make sense of your data Tom, do I divide your mileage across the 3 vehicles?

Yes - actually make it 28k pa total - 11K IQ, 6k Merc, 11k Punto.

Changing your car to a more fuel efficent one

cbatjesmond — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 13:25:49 +0100

1: What is your present car (make, model, trim, fuel type, age)
none. I hire cars/vans for a few days once/twice a year at home for special jobs.
I sometimes get a hire car when on holiday.

2: Annual Mileage
<1000 split between hire car/van in UK and Greece.

3: What vehicle are you thinking of getting next
Would a NanoBrompton count? http://www.nanoelectricbikes.co.uk/

4: Dream 'Eco' Vehicle
NanoBrompton

5: Dream Vehicle
I owned a Citroen Safari back when it was my dream vehicle.
So a soft-top Citroen SM? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_SM

(The Devil made me do it! :-)