Mercedes Mullins
Driving at 70mph uses more fuel than driving at 50 or 60mph. According to the RAC, driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more fuel than at 50mph. The US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency also found that fuel economy decreases by about 14% when travelling at 70mph compared to 60mph. Driving at lower speeds is not only more fuel-efficient but also has a positive impact on the environment and road safety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy decrease | 14% |
| Fuel economy decrease compared to 50 mph | 15% |
| Fuel economy decrease compared to 80 mph | 15.4% |
| MPG at 70 mph | 30 mpg |
| MPG at 60 mph | 35 mpg |
| Cost of 100 miles at 70 mph | £20.59 |
| Cost of 100 miles at 60 mph | £17.65 |
| Time taken to travel 100 miles at 70 mph | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Time taken to travel 100 miles at 60 mph | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Fuel economy decrease from 60 to 70 mph | 14% |
| Fuel economy decrease from 50 to 60 mph | 12.4% |
| Optimum cruising speed for high fuel economy | Between 40 and 50 mph |
| Fuel saving techniques | Avoid heavy acceleration, remove unnecessary weight, remove unused external storage, maintain tyre pressure, limit air conditioning, plan your journey |
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What You'll Learn
- Fuel economy decreases by about 14% when travelling at 70 mph vs 60 mph
- Driving at 70 mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60 mph
- Driving at 70 mph uses up to 15% more fuel than at 50 mph
- Driving at 80 mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70 mph
- Driving at 70 mph uses about 15% more fuel than at 50 mph
Fuel economy decreases by about 14% when travelling at 70 mph vs 60 mph
According to the US Department of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency, fuel economy decreases by about 14% when travelling at 70 mph compared to 60 mph. This is supported by a study from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which found that the average fuel economy decrease from 60 to 70 mph was around 14%.
The fuel economy of a vehicle is influenced by various factors, including speed, acceleration, and gear. By avoiding heavy acceleration and maintaining a consistent speed, you can optimise your fuel efficiency. Additionally, driving at lower engine revs and using the vehicle's highest gear can further enhance fuel economy.
Maintaining speed limits and driving smoothly are also essential for optimising fuel efficiency. Slowing down can save money and positively impact the environment by reducing emissions and improving air quality. Driving at 70 mph can use up to 9% more fuel than driving at 60 mph, resulting in increased fuel costs.
Other factors that influence fuel economy include vehicle weight, external storage, tyre pressure, and the use of air conditioning. Removing unnecessary items from your car, maintaining proper tyre pressure, and limiting air conditioning can all contribute to improved fuel efficiency. Additionally, following a lorry can help improve fuel economy, as the lorry pushes the air out of the way, reducing aerodynamic drag on your vehicle.
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Driving at 70 mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60 mph
Driving at higher speeds causes a vehicle to use more fuel. According to the RAC research among 2000 drivers in March 2022, driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than driving at 60 mph. This is because the higher the engine revs, the more fuel is used. Driving at 70 mph can also use up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50 mph, and driving at 80 mph can use up to 25% more fuel than driving at 70 mph.
There are ways to improve fuel efficiency when driving. Firstly, it is important to avoid heavy acceleration and to drive as smoothly as possible. This includes maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front and anticipating what is going to happen on the road ahead. Additionally, removing unnecessary weight, external storage, and limiting the use of air conditioning can help to reduce fuel consumption.
Another way to save fuel is to drive behind a lorry or a coach. This is because the larger vehicle pushes the air out of the way, making it easier for the car behind to move through the air and thus reducing the amount of fuel needed.
Finally, driving at a lower speed can also help to improve fuel efficiency. The optimum cruising speed for high fuel economy in cars and light trucks is between 40 and 50 mph, according to an Oak Ridge National Laboratory study of 74 different vehicles. However, it is important to note that driving too slowly can inconvenience or endanger other road users. Therefore, it is crucial to stick to the speed limit and drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions.
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Driving at 70 mph uses up to 15% more fuel than at 50 mph
Driving at higher speeds uses more fuel, and this is especially true when driving at 70 mph instead of 50 mph. Driving at 70 mph can use up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50 mph. This is because the higher the engine revs, the more fuel is used. Thus, driving at 70 mph can be significantly more expensive than driving at 50 mph.
For example, let's consider a 100-mile journey. At a constant speed of 60 mph, the journey would cost £17.65 at 135.9p/L and take 1 hour and 40 minutes. On the other hand, driving at 70 mph would cost £20.59 and take 1 hour and 25 minutes. Therefore, driving at 70 mph saves only 15 minutes but costs an additional £2.94 in fuel.
There are several other ways to save fuel while driving. Firstly, maintaining a constant speed and avoiding heavy acceleration can help reduce fuel consumption. Additionally, driving smoothly by anticipating the road ahead and slowing down naturally can also improve fuel economy. Maintaining proper tyre pressure, removing unnecessary weight and external storage from the vehicle, and limiting the use of air conditioning can further reduce fuel usage.
Furthermore, driving behind a lorry or a coach can be a very fuel-efficient way to drive, as they push the air out of the way, reducing the air resistance for your car. However, this method may not be as relaxing due to frequent lane changes and overtaking by coaches. Despite the potential time saved by driving at higher speeds, it is essential to stick to speed limits and drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions to save fuel and improve safety.
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Driving at 80 mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70 mph
Driving at higher speeds increases fuel consumption. The higher the speed, the more fuel your vehicle will use. According to the AA, driving at 80 mph can use up to 25% more fuel than driving at 70 mph. This is because, at higher speeds, your engine revs are higher, which causes a significant increase in fuel usage.
The optimum speed for fuel efficiency is around 55–56 mph. At this speed, a vehicle generally consumes the least amount of fuel. However, driving at such a slow speed on motorways may inconvenience or endanger other road users, so it is important to maintain a safe and legal speed.
There are several ways to improve fuel efficiency while driving. Firstly, avoid heavy acceleration and drive as smoothly as possible. By anticipating the road ahead, you can slow down naturally and maintain momentum, reducing the need for sudden stops and starts. Additionally, limit the use of air conditioning, as it increases fuel consumption by making the engine work harder. Maintaining proper tyre pressure and reducing excess weight in your vehicle can also improve fuel efficiency.
Another way to save fuel is by driving behind a lorry or a coach. Large vehicles push the air out of the way, creating a slipstream that your car can utilise. This reduces the aerodynamic drag on your car, resulting in better fuel efficiency. However, be sure to maintain a safe distance and follow traffic rules to ensure a safe journey.
While slowing down can save fuel and reduce emissions, it is important to strike a balance between fuel economy and time efficiency. In some cases, driving slightly above the speed limit may be more practical, especially on shorter journeys or when time is a factor. Ultimately, the decision to slow down should consider factors such as road type, speed limits, and current driving conditions.
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Driving at 70 mph uses about 15% more fuel than at 50 mph
Driving at higher speeds uses more fuel. According to the US Department of Energy, the fuel economy decreases by about 14% when travelling at 70 mph compared to 60 mph. This is because the higher the engine revs, the more fuel is used.
Similarly, driving at 70 mph uses about 15% more fuel than driving at 50 mph. This is supported by a study by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which found that the average fuel economy decrease from 50 to 60 mph was 12.4%, and from 60 to 70 mph, the average decrease was an additional 14%.
However, the difference in fuel consumption between maintaining a speed of 60 mph and 70 mph is not significant for shorter journeys. For example, on a 100-mile journey, driving at 60 mph will cost £17.65, while driving at 70 mph will cost £20.59, a difference of £2.94.
To save fuel, it is recommended to avoid heavy acceleration and to drive smoothly. Maintaining a safe distance behind a lorry can also help improve fuel efficiency, as the lorry will push the air out of the way, reducing the air resistance for your car. Additionally, removing unnecessary weight and external storage from your car can help reduce fuel consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Driving at 70mph uses up to 30% more fuel than driving at 50mph.
Driving at 70mph uses up to 15% more fuel than driving at 60mph.
Driving at 60mph will save you £2.94 in fuel costs on a 100-mile journey.
The optimum cruising speed for high fuel economy is between 40 and 50 miles per hour.
To save fuel when driving at 70mph, avoid heavy acceleration and maintain appropriate tyre pressure.
