Driving faster can save time but at the cost of fuel efficiency. According to the US Department of Energy, for every 5 mph increase over 50 mph, fuel efficiency drops by 7 percent. For example, a car that gets 30 miles per gallon (mpg) at 70 mph will only get 27.9 mpg at 75 mph. On a 30-mile trip, increasing speed from 70 to 75 mph saves just 1.7 minutes but costs an extra 32 cents in fuel. Over a 500-mile trip, driving at 60 mph instead of 70 mph saves $10 in fuel and reduces CO2 emissions by over 50 pounds, despite adding 30 minutes to the journey. Slowing down not only saves money but also benefits the environment.
QUESTION: How might choosing to drive slower impact your daily life and the environment in the long run?
Drive Slower, Save Money on Gas. Thanks, Physics!
