A new study published in the Nature journal Communications Sustainability found that speeding not only wastes money in gas but also barely saves time. The research analyzed 120 million vehicle trips across the United States and found that if drivers of light-duty, conventional internal combustion engine vehicles actually drove at posted speed limits, it could save an average of $22 million, 6.7 million gallons of fuel, and 57,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide every day.
Cost of Speeding
The study found that driving faster increases a vehicle’s energy use and emissions from its engine, reducing efficiency. With an average daily driving distance of 28.6 miles, driving at or below the posted limit corresponds to only about 54 seconds longer per day. The researchers noted that the fuel saved from driving more slowly still only represents a fraction of daily gasoline consumption in the U.S., which is about 375 million gallons daily.
Experts say that slowing down can improve one’s gas mileage and influence oil market demand, which could impact pricing. The study considered battery-electric vehicle efficiency only in California and found that driving slower is beneficial for electric vehicles as well.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
