About Shell Fuel Economy Fact or Fiction report

The Shell Fuel Economy Fact or Fiction Report was commissioned by Shell and conducted by independent research firm Edelman Berland in December 2014 to January 2015. The survey uses new consumer research to reveal the interesting things people do to be fuel efficient. The programme will uncover popular fuel saving myths, inspiring motorists to adopt correct fuel efficient behavior.

The survey was conducted as an online questionnaire with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Indian drivers aged 18 to 40.

Some top findings for India include:

  • In India, fuel efficiency is important to 8 in 10 (83%) drivers. However over two-thirds (68%) do not know how to become fuel efficient
  • This confusion is having a negative emotional impact on a large number of these drivers (54%) who say it causes them anxiety
  • Drivers practice a number of myths – for example:
  • 95% drivers turn on the air conditioning instead of winding down their windows to avoid wind resistance
  • 92% drivers warm up the engine before they drive
  • Over three quarters (78%) burp their car
  • 98% drivers practice good behaviours such as; checking their tyres to make sure they are properly inflated, ensuring their vehicle is regularly serviced and driving smoothly
  • Many drivers believe a number of these myths actually help them save fuel. For example, 7 in 10 (69%) believe warming up the engine saves them fuel, nearly two-thirds (63%) believe the same for filling up to half a tank to avoid excess weight and fuel evaporation. Surprisingly, half (49%) believe burping the car increases fuel efficiency
  • Drivers in India are more likely to be energy efficient in the home than in the car
    • For example, 9 in 10 (86%) will frequently turn off the lights when leaving the house, but only (59%) will frequently remove excess weight from their boot or backseat
    • Over two-thirds (67%) agree that the education of engineering and science students is important in helping to save fuel
    • Fuel efficient vehicles are considered the most relevant innovation followed closely by innovations in fuel

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Watch the Autocar/Bloomberg TV show on the Shell Fuel Economy Fact or Fiction report here

Read the full press release here

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