Shell study reveals Indian myths to save fuel
No matter how many foreign luxury brands are entering India and enjoying healthy sales, our market still has ‘fuel efficiency’ as permanently on the mind during the buying process. Proof? The Shell Fuel Economy Fact or Fiction Report, which analyses the behavior of 1000 Indian drivers aged between 18 and 40, makes it clear that Indians are willing to go to extremes in order to save fuel and cut their driving costs.
The study reveals 83 per cent of Indians see fuel efficiency as an important factor while 68 per cent admit they don’t know enough about it. This causes 54 per cent of those who aren’t in the know to feel anxious about fuel efficiency, leading many to believe and practice a collection of fuel saving myths.
The research further explains 95 per cent of drivers turn on the air conditioning instead of rolling down their windows to avoid wind resistance. At the same time 92 per cent warm up the engine before they drive and more than 69 per cent believe this myth will provide better fuel efficiency. Among the interesting findings, is that almost 49 per cent believe ‘burping’ their cars to release air pockets in the tank does help in saving fuel. The report also reveals that the confusion on the road is in stark contrast to what goes on inside our nation’s homes. Indeed, 86 per cent of people claim they turn off the lights in order to save energy when leaving the house while only 59 per cent would frequently remove excess weight from the boot of the vehicle to help save fuel.
Shell conducted the Eco-marathon Asia 2015, whose findings revealed that drivers are looking to scientists and engineers to help them save fuel and energy in the future. Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2015 saw students from M.N.M Jain Engineering College, K.J. Somaiya College Of Engineering, Government Engineering College Barton Hill, Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, RV College of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology — Banaras Hindu University, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), VIT University, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University participate in the conclave that shook some of the prevalent myths through their experiences at the mileage challenge.
