New Era

WINDHOEK – World fuel economy enthusiasts John and Helen Taylor say the Namibian Government must seriously start looking at reducing the current speed limit from 120 to 100 km per hour if they want to save money, save on fuel and reduce the death rate on the roads due to speeding. The Taylors are multiple Guinness World Book record holders in Fuel Economy.

After completing 1 000 kilometers on just one tank of Diesel Extra during the latest Shell Namibia “One Tank Challenge” over two days, the Taylors are adamant that with the country’s abundance of scenic beauty there is no need to rush to a destination. “What you have here is amazing,” says John Taylor.

Shell is the first company to embark on a promotion in the country where it reaches out to the driving class with education on safe driving tips and at the same time striving to save fuel.

“We are here to share with ordinary Namibians our exprienceces on a fuel economy adventure,” said Helen Taylor.

Each one of the Namibian media practitioners present was determined to go out and become a champion on the latest efficiency driving styles.

Through the media as a partner, Shell Namibia has taken up a unique way of encouraging its customers to use fuel economically.

This year’s challenge was aimed at establishing how far a person can drive on one tank of Shell Diesel Extra. The route was laid out from Windhoek via Okahandja, Otjiwarongo to Etosha.

On the second day the teams had to drive to Grootfontein via Tsumeb and back to Windhoek. Before entering Otjiwarongo, all odometers clocked 1 000 kilometers and the mission was accomplished.

This is the second time the company is involved in the innovative runs. Shell Namibia held a similar challenge last year where participants drove from Windhoek to Swakopmund.

Last year teams competed against each other in the “Shell Diesel Extra Fuel Challenge Get the Most Out of Every Drop”, whose objective was to assist Shell customers with saving fuel.

As part of the Shell Diesel Extra Challenge, all vehicles had to be driven not faster than 80 kilometres per hour. The participants had to focus on safe driving, while learning fuel saving techniques at the same time.

Shell retail manager Davis Maphosa said fuel is a scarce commodity and it is purchased from far away, against a high price.

“It is very important for Shell to assist our customers in saving fuel. In this small way we are contributing to ensure that our energy resources will last longer. Of course it also means that our customers save money, another scarce resource in these economic times that we are experiencing,” said Maphosa.

Operations manager at Shell Namibia Sanet Mohrmann in laying down the rules said the difference this year was that her company is trying to set a benchmark for Namibia with the aim of making this an annual event, where participants could try and break the “One Tank” record for Namibia.

The route was closely monitored under the watchful eye of an independent scrutiniser from the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a film crew of One Africa Television.

The Taylors’ other fuel economy records include the Guinness World Records Drive around the World, in 78 days, using just 24 tanks of Fuel Economy formula fuel. They also set national records in Asia, Oman, South Africa and the United States of America.

The couple have proved that using Fuel Economy Formula fuels, simple driving techniques and vehicle maintenance tips can get the most out of every drop.

They also run fuel economy workshops across the world to educate governments, fleet managers and the public on how to improve fuel economy.

John Taylor said drivers around the world have eased off the pedal and taken the strain off their wallets by using simple tips.

“When we first launched the Shell Fuel Save Challenge we wanted to help drivers save 10 percent or more of the fuel they use. Two years later, over 2 000 drivers have been trained to get the most out of every drop of fuel through the Shell Fuel Save Challenge,” he said.

With a smile, his wife Helen said the results were great. Over two to three drivers saved fuel. While some didn’t save much, others were brilliant.

The couple followed save fuel tips developed with Shell, such as driving smoothly, looking after engine and tyres and using high quality fuel and avoiding higher speeds than 100.

“If everyone can cut their fuel usage by just ten percent, combined they would save millions a day,” said John Taylor. “It would also make a massive difference in CO2 emissions.”

Helen Taylor said it isn’t very hard to save.

“Everyone has the potential. But firstly, people need to learn to be patient behind the wheel, which is not an easy thing for any driver. Secondly, one must get up to the top gear as quickly as you can without making your engine work too hard. In other words, be gentle on the accelerator, don’t stamp the pedal onto the floor,” she advised.

Although fuel-efficient driving is not just about speed, some cars on the road did reach 100km/h at times going downhill, so that the momentum could take them most of the way up the other side without having to put much strain on the engine.

The first ‘One Tank Challenge’ award went to a media team with drivers of The Namibian newspaper, New Era, Kanaal 7 Radio Station and Radio Wave.

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