Training seems to be the key to drivers being able to make the most of their fuel.

A recent survey carried out by Volvo has shown that over 50% of HGV drivers drive as fuel efficiently as they can.  A further 40% occasionally consider fuel economy when driving with only a very small proportion of professional drivers giving fuel economy no consideration at all.

Tests carried out by Volvo have shown that receiving training in fuel efficient driving can improve even an experienced driver’s ability to squeeze every drop of power from his fuel by around 7%.  For an HGV covering 50,000 miles a year that can amount to around £3,000 per year on fuel alone.

Volvo used its World Trucker Forum on www.worldtrucker.com to survey driver attitudes to fuel-efficient driving. The aim of the forum, which got under way last spring, is to increase the company's understanding of driver interests and needs. The fresh survey results show there is considerable awareness on the subject of fuel-efficiency.

"It is important to work on awareness of this issue so that drivers understand that their efforts do make a difference," said Andrew Low, who is in charge of driver training at Volvo Trucks. "Knowledge is power. Everything becomes simple once you know how - and this applies equally well to fuel-efficient driving. That is why it is important to invest in driver training," he continued.

In order to increase awareness of fuel-efficiency, Volvo Trucks also holds the Drivers Fuel Challenge - a global competition in economical driving open to commercial vehicle drivers. This year's event attracted more than 3,500 drivers from all over the world. The fact that the Worldtrucker survey revealed that as many as half the drivers already think about their driving style does not surprise Andrew Low.

"It's very encouraging to see these figures in black on white. They underscore the responses we have received regarding our courses. Haulage firm owners and drivers have truly taken on board the message that environment and economy go hand in hand," he concluded.

Top tips for economical driving:

• Get the tire pressures right;
• Set the vehicle up properly: cab gap, cab deflector and axle/trailer alignment;
• Try to get into top gear as soon as you can;
• Plan ahead, blend in with traffic and try not to come to a complete stop.

Internet research: more fuel-saving ideas and advice

BigLorryBlog's lesson in fuel-efficient driving: See the film in which journalist and founder of BigLorryBlog Brian Weatherley gets a lesson in fuel-efficient driving and succeeds in cutting his consumption by 7% in one single step: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MltrA95Ln7o

Every drop counts: Volvo Trucks works tirelessly in a variety of ways to reduce fuel consumption on behalf of its customers. Read more at: http://everydropcounts.volvotrucks.com/

Drivers Fuel Challenge: The Drivers Fuel Challenge is a global competition in economical driving that is organised by Volvo Trucks. Here you can see a video from the exciting final: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPdXuayYEbA

Worldtrucker: Worldtrucker is an Internet community run by Volvo Trucks. However, the forum is open to all truck drivers irrespective of the make of truck they drive, and it has more than 17,000 members from all over the world. See the responses from the Web survey here: http://worldtrucker.com/Forum/Thread/?topicID=810