Katerina Swanson
With petrol prices on the rise, the fuel efficiency of your car is an important consideration. Not only will a fuel-efficient car save you money, but it's also better for the environment. In New Zealand, there is a star rating system that allows you to easily compare the fuel efficiency of different cars. This rating takes into account both fuel consumption and CO2 output. The more stars a car has, the more efficient it is. There are also other ways to improve fuel efficiency, such as keeping your tyres inflated, driving smoothly, and reducing your load.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Factors affecting fuel efficiency | The way you drive, the size of the car, the load it carries, and the use of air-con all affect fuel efficiency. |
| Fuel economy rating | Displayed as 'xx' litres per 100km or 'xx' L/100km, where 'xx' is the number of litres of fuel consumed per 100km driven. |
| Fuel economy label | A New Zealand Government-authorised ticket that explains the fuel efficiency of a car using a star rating system. |
| Star rating system | The more stars, the more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly the car is. |
| Fuel consumption comparison | Consumers can compare the fuel consumption of different makes and models on NZ's Right Car website. |
| Real-world fuel consumption | On average, the latest vehicles' fuel efficiency is 42% worse than claimed by their manufacturers. |
| Fuel-efficient driving tools | The NZTA App and Gen Less fuel-efficient driving tool provide information and tips to improve fuel efficiency. |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding fuel ratings
Each vehicle has specific fuel requirements, with petrol cars needing petrol and diesel cars requiring diesel. Some modern engines can marginally adapt to higher octane fuel than the minimum suggested, resulting in slightly improved mileage or performance. However, the premium price of higher octane fuel often outweighs the economic benefits. For instance, using 98 octane fuel in an engine designed for 91 octane may offer marginally better performance, but it is not an economically sound decision due to the higher cost.
To make an informed choice when selecting a new car, you can refer to the fuel economy labels displayed on all motor vehicles or car dealerships, except for electric vehicles. These labels provide valuable information about the fuel efficiency of a car using a star-rating system. The more stars a vehicle has, the lower its estimated running costs. You can also find the fuel economy information online or on the manufacturer's website and sales brochures. Additionally, tools like the NZ GOVT Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority vehicle total cost of ownership tool can help you compare the total ownership costs of different vehicles.
When considering fuel efficiency, it is essential to look at fuel economy ratings, typically displayed as 'XX' litres per 100 km. This rating indicates how many litres of fuel your car will consume for every 100 km driven. A lower litres per 100 km rating signifies a more economical car, resulting in lower fuel costs over time. For example, a car with a fuel economy rating of 4L per 100 km would cost approximately $11.20 to drive 100 km if petrol costs $2.80 per litre.
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Real-world fuel consumption
The AA Research Foundation in New Zealand has been funding research on how to develop a better understanding of real-world fuel efficiency. Overseas studies have shown a significant discrepancy between the fuel consumption claimed by vehicle manufacturers and the actual fuel performance of the vehicles. This gap has been steadily worsening, with the latest vehicles' fuel efficiency being 42% worse than claimed, on average. This has financial implications for consumers and impacts government CO2 abatement policies.
To address this issue, the AA Research Foundation's programme examined existing fuel consumption data and explored methods for collecting real-world fuel consumption data. The study considered data from both New Zealand and overseas sources. While electric vehicles offer a solution for reducing emissions, they currently account for a small proportion of the New Zealand fleet and may not meet the needs of all vehicle owners. Therefore, the AA is interested in measures to improve the fuel efficiency of conventional internal combustion engines, starting with accurate data on vehicle performance in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi provides tips to help improve fuel efficiency, as the way one drives can affect fuel consumption. Smooth driving, avoiding fast acceleration and sharp braking, can help reduce fuel usage and save money. Additionally, choosing a more fuel-efficient vehicle can lead to significant financial savings and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
The government of New Zealand regularly reviews the fuel system to ensure awareness of any risks and to improve the security of the national engine fuel supply. New Zealand's oil consumption statistics are primarily collected through the Delivery of Petroleum Fuel by Industry (DPFI) survey, which includes the five large oil companies operating in the country and independent distributors.
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Fuel economy ratings
The fuel economy rating is displayed as 'xx' litres per 100km or 'xx' L/100km, meaning that for every 100km driven, your car will consume 'xx' litres of fuel. Therefore, the lower the litres per 100km, the more economical the car. For example, if you buy a car with a fuel economy rating of 4L per 100km, it would cost you around $11.20 per 100km drive, which adds up to about $1568.00 estimated running costs per year.
The fuel economy rating label is a New Zealand Government-authorised ticket that explains the fuel efficiency of a car using a star rating system. The star rating shows you how efficient the car is at a glance. The more stars, the more economical the car is, with the best possible rating being 6 stars.
All motor vehicle traders or car dealerships must display fuel economy labels on all vehicles (except for electric vehicles), provided a fuel economy label is available. This includes vehicles listed for sale online. You can also find the fuel economy rating on the manufacturer's website and sales brochures.
You can compare the fuel consumption and emissions performance of different makes and models of vehicles by looking up the Fuel Economy Rating on NZ's Right Car website. It has been noted that there is a growing divergence between the real-world fuel economy and manufacturers' claimed fuel economy, so it is recommended to seek out real-world fuel consumption data from ordinary New Zealanders.
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Driving style impact
Driving style has a significant impact on fuel efficiency, with aggressive driving leading to higher fuel consumption and reduced emission control efficiency. This includes rapid stops and starts, weaving in and out of traffic, and high-speed variance, which can reduce gas mileage by up to 33% on highways and 5% in cities.
On the other hand, eco-driving or sensible driving, which emphasizes fuel efficiency and safety, can lead to fuel savings of 5-15%. This involves driving responsibly, following speed limits, and reducing aggressive accelerations and decelerations.
The use of driver feedback devices or mobile phone apps can help improve driving behaviour and fuel economy by providing instantaneous or aggregate fuel consumption readings. Additionally, maintaining a constant speed through the use of cruise control, especially on highways, can also contribute to fuel savings.
Other factors that influence fuel efficiency include vehicle weight, with lighter vehicles benefiting more from weight reduction, and hauling cargo on the roof, which increases aerodynamic drag and lowers fuel economy, especially at higher speeds.
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Vehicle size
The relationship between vehicle weight and fuel consumption is not always straightforward. For example, a larger vehicle may have a more efficient engine, but its increased weight could still result in higher fuel consumption. Additionally, other factors such as driving conditions and auxiliary features can impact fuel efficiency.
The impact of vehicle size on fuel efficiency is also influenced by the specific engine characteristics, transmission ratios, axle ratio, and wheel/tyre size. These factors work together to determine the overall fuel efficiency of a vehicle. For instance, larger wheels may lead to increased fuel efficiency as they cover more distance per rotation, but they also require more energy to turn, which can decrease fuel efficiency.
When considering vehicle size and fuel efficiency, it is important to look at the overall design and specifications of the vehicle, as well as the specific driving conditions and usage. By choosing a more fuel-efficient vehicle, individuals can save money and reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, adopting fuel-efficient driving techniques can further improve fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
New Zealand has a rating system that allows you to easily see how fuel-efficient your car is compared to others. The star rating system takes into account the consumption and the CO2 output. The more stars, the more efficient and environmentally friendly the car is.
All car manufacturers put their vehicles through tests against internationally agreed standards and guidelines to determine their official fuel economy and CO2 emission figures. These tests are conducted in controlled conditions using a machine called a dynamometer, which simulates different driving environments.
There are several ways to improve fuel efficiency, including:
- Keep your car well-maintained—keep the tyres inflated to the right level, and get regular servicing and check-ups.
- Drive smoothly—avoid fast acceleration and sharp braking.
- Don't carry unnecessary loads—a heavier load increases fuel consumption.
- Don't leave your car idling—if you're stopped for more than a minute, turn the engine off.
