AMPOL LIMITED 21 August 2015
Fuel efficiency experts Helen and John Taylor today set a new world record proving that, while a modern car may not literally run on the smell of an oily rag, smarter driving can help Australian motorists significantly cut their fuel use.
Powered by Caltex's Vortex 98 premium unleaded fuel, the Taylors arrived in Hobart this morning after completing an epic 18,830 km figure-of-eight journey around Australia over 38 days as part of the Caltex Vortex Fuel Efficiency Challenge.
The Taylors crossed the finish line having used five less petrol tank refills than the manufacturer's predicted 19.5 for the same distance. This established a new world record for the lowest fuel consumption driving around Australia in a figure-of-eight.
Visiting major metropolitan, regional and rural areas, including iconic landmarks such as Uluru, the married couple used an impressive 25.5% less fuel per 100 kilometres than the manufacturer's stated usage in their Volkswagen Passat, significantly exceeding their initial goal of 15%.
The pair travelled an average of 331 km further on every tank of petrol, averaging 1,306 kilometres per tank compared with the manufacturer's recommended 975 km per tank and cut CO2 emissions by 24%.
The quest coincided with new Caltex research showing 96% of Australians believe they drive inefficiently and more than half (53%) want to uncover the secrets to using less fuel.
Recently announced as a Clean Air Champion, John Taylor said he was very happy to educate Australian drivers on how they can reduce their fuel consumption, which can help cut CO2 emissions and deliver opportunities to save money.
"We're elated to be able to announce a new world record in fuel efficiency today," John said.
"To achieve this, we had to keep our vehicle performing at the highest standard - filling up with Caltex Vortex 98, which is designed to clean the engine, and a car service in Alice Springs kept us on track to set a new record.
"In 38 days we saved more than five tanks of petrol - imagine what you could do over 12 months!
"It has been an epic trip travelling across our breathtaking country and I loved being able to share the experience with my wife.
"The best part though was proving the benefits of combining fuel efficient driving techniques - like accelerating gently, ensuring tyres are properly inflated and avoiding idling - with regular servicing and the use of Caltex Vortex 98."
Caltex Australia's Executive General Manager Commercial Bruce Rosengarten said: "We partnered with Helen and John Taylor to help educate, assist and empower our customers to make informed choices when it comes to driving and fuel efficiency.
"Our research highlighted many Aussies confuse fuel efficiency fact with fiction - three quarters of Australians, for example, are unaware that driving a manual car will typically result in better fuel economy and a further 39% mistakenly think mixing fuels in their vehicle will help them get more kilometres to the litre.
"We wanted to show how fuel efficient driving techniques combined with vehicle servicing and Caltex Vortex premium fuel, which is designed to clean, can help get more out of a tank while helping maintain the engine and reducing emissions.
"The results of the Taylors' trip speak for themselves. They've not only proven a point but educated Australian motorists along the way with their simple tips for increasing fuel efficiency behind the wheel."
As part of the Caltex Vortex Fuel Efficiency Challenge, the Taylors held driving workshops across the country to teach Australians simple techniques to reduce fuel consumption.
Helen Taylor said: "The drive was carried out in realistic conditions across the country, meaning results are relevant to drivers on a national level. I hope that the campaign has inspired Australians to get more out of their vehicle, and ultimately, be kinder to our environment."
For more information on the trip and fuel efficiency tips from the Taylors, go to: http://www.fuelacademy.com/blog/category/latest-adventures/
For more information on Caltex Vortex premium fuel go to: http://www.caltex.com.au/ProductsAndServices/Pages/VortexPremiumFuels.aspx
Key research findings:
Fuel efficiency myths
Most Australian motorists (69%) are confused about fuel efficiency, with many unaware that sitting in a queue with the car idling wastes fuel (82%) and a third (29%) believing that changing the oil every 5,000 km will automatically improve mileage.
Key national stats
- 96% of Australians believe they drive inefficiently and more than half (53%) want to uncover the secrets to using less fuel
- Most motorists would change the way they drive or the fuel they buy if it would result in a cost saving (63%) or if it was shown to be better for the engine and long term health of the car (53%).
- Most Australian motorists (69%) are confused about fuel efficiency, with many unaware that sitting in a queue with the car idling wastes fuel (82%) and a third (29%) believing that changing the oil every 5,000 km will automatically improve mileage.
- A third ( 34%) of Australians don't know how much they could save if they drove more efficiently over a 12 month period
- 75% don't realise that driving manual will help them get more mileage
- A further 39% mistakenly think mixing fuels in their vehicle will help them get more kilometres to the litre
- 69% of Australian motorists believe in some of the common myths about fuel efficiency, including: changing that changing oil every 5,000 km will ensure efficiency 29%, or being unaware that standing still in a queue with the car running wastes fuel 82%
- Motorists think that they could save around $200, or 9% of their annual fuel expenditure of $2,500, when the reality is that for a driver spending $50 a week on fuel ($2,600 per year), there is a potential saving of up to $780 annually
- The purchase of fuel is a habitual thing. Many (41%) always buy the same fuel and 23% buy the fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Only 6% review the mileage they get from the different fuels and use the most efficient for their vehicle.
Caltex Vortex premium fuel
Efficient driving, regular servicing and Vortex premium fuels are the perfect combination to improve fuel economy. Caltex Vortex premium fuels are designed to clean for better performance and contain an advanced multifunctional additive formula designed to keep critical parts of the engine clean (fuel injectors), which can improve power and performance and increase fuel efficiency.
Editors' notes - research methodology:
The sample was Australian motorists aged 18+, with 2,057 respondents throughout Australia, including capital city and regional areas. The survey was in market from 12-18 June 2015 and conducted by Galaxy Research on behalf of Caltex.
Caltex Australia
With a commitment to Australia tracing back to 1900, Caltex has grown to become the nation's outright leader in transport fuel. Caltex supplies one-third of all Australia's transport fuels and is unique in this market for being the only major brand listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Through its comprehensive supply chain, Caltex has forged its reputation for providing safe and reliable supply of high-quality fuels to a diverse number of customer segments, including retail, mining, agriculture, aviation, transport, small-to-medium enterprises, marine, automotive and government. Caltex is also one of Australia's largest convenience retailers and franchisors, with over 85% of its stores operated by franchisees.
The Taylors
The Taylors are passionate about educating people on fuel efficiency and have spent the last 35 years helping increase awareness and understanding on the issues through workshops, campaigns and tutorials. Through a combination of efficient driving techniques and Caltex premium fuel, they have set a new record and educated Australians on fuel efficiency along the way. Fuel economy was measured at the Caltex stop points along the route, where all official evidence was signed and photographed. The manufacturer's baseline figure were the fuel economy measurement. An independent witness oversaw the entire world record drive adjudication.
Media contacts
Emily Kaelin, Fuel Communications
P: 02 8217 6500 E: ekaelin@fuelcommunications.com.au
Ruby Simmons, Fuel Communications
P: 02 8217 6500 E: RSimmons@fuelcommunications.com.au
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