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Start-stop technology: do these engines save fuel?

Written by Avis Fleet | Aug 24, 2020 7:22:00 PM

 

How do start-stop engines work?

Start-stop engines are easy to use. The technology senses when the car is stationary, when the brake is being used or the car is out of gear.

 

When the car stops moving the start-stop technology stops fuel from being sent to the ignition and sparking the engine. The engine starts again when the driver pushes the clutch or releases the brake.

 

Is start-stop technology effective?

With fuel prices constantly on the increase consumers are eager to find ways to save. Are car manufacturers cashing in on this desire by presenting start-stop technology in a way that deliberately overstates its effectiveness?

 

South African Car Magazine conducted an experiment to study the effectiveness of the technology.

 

In theory, a vehicle with a 1.8 litre diesel engine would use 0.6l/h in the time that it is idle, saving 0.3 litres of fuel in 30 minutes of stationary time.

 

This should have resulted in a saving of R3.45 (at the diesel price at the time) but in the experiment, the vehicle switched off for only 12 minutes for a reduced saving of 69 cents.

 

The author thinks that the engine did not shut off when the vehicle was idle because it had a low battery charge. Whatever the reason, this demonstrates that there is a difference between theoretical and real-life savings for these vehicles.

 

A solution for fuel management

For proven fuel saving solutions, consider outsourcing your fleet to Avis Fleet. Fuel card fraud and fuel theft cause financial losses in many businesses.

 

Avis Fleet can help you to save between 8% and 14% of your fleet’s fuel consumption costs through our Intelligent Fuel Management (IFM) product,

which has a 90% accuracy rate.

 

We take control of your fleet’s fuel consumption and can reduce the risk of fraud, theft and the abuse of fuel cards.

 

Fuel costs are one of the biggest concerns for fleet companies and saving money on fuel will go a long way towards boosting your success. Our fuel management and other solutions can help you.

 

Contact us directly to learn how to implement our Intelligent Fuel Management solution into your fleet.

 

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