Eco-Driving Schools: An Entrepreneurial Opportunity

Driving schools that teach eco-driving techniques. It’s not a bad idea. Wouldn’t you opt for a place that teaches your kid not only safe driving, but ways to save money (and help save the planet), too? After all, according to Triple Pundit, “a recent study showed that drivers using these techniques were able to get 1,445 miles on a single tank of gas in a Ford Fusion Hybrid, double what Ford suggested the car could attain.” Also:

Sweden has mandated that all driving schools teach Eco-driving. It’s been successful as part of a broader effort in that country to reduce oil consumption, which is down from 77% of their fuel mix 20 years ago to 23% last year. Other countries are sure to follow, especially those that have signed on to climate change accords and are looking for ways to reduce overall GHG emissions.

Even without government incentives and mandates, driving school companies can differentiate themselves from competitors by offering Eco-driving. Check out EcoDriven Driving School, for example. The company is remarkably easy to start. A hybrid car, a certification, insurance and a website, and you’re on your way.
via Start a Green Business: An Eco-Driving School? – Eco-driving, hypermiling, Scott+Cooney, fuel+efficiency, miles+per+gallon, green+business, entrepreneurship.

What are eco-driving techniques anyway? They’re things like not slamming on the brakes right before a stop light and accelerating more slowly–steps I admit I ignored until recently.

While you don’t have to use a hybrid to start such an enterprise, it’s probably a good idea. But you will, of course, need the one essential any driving school must have: instructors with nerves of steel.