Eco-Driving & Fuel Efficiency Flashcards
6 cards from real CPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Eco-Driving & Fuel Efficiency flashcards as text
What is the effect of aerodynamic drag on an unladen flatbed trailer compared to one fitted with wind deflectors?
Answer: Aerodynamic aids such as trailer skirts, roof fairings and boat tails can reduce fuel consumption by 5-10%
Aerodynamic devices reduce the frontal area turbulence and trailer base drag; industry studies show trailer aerodynamic improvements typically deliver 5-10% fuel savings on motorway-heavy routes.
Which driving practice wastes the most fuel on urban HGV deliveries?
Answer: Repeatedly accelerating hard followed by hard braking at traffic signals and junctions
Hard acceleration burns excessive fuel and hard braking converts that kinetic energy to waste heat; anticipating traffic lights and junctions to reduce stop-start cycles is the biggest urban efficiency gain.
What is the carbon footprint implication of carrying a return load versus running empty?
Answer: Carrying a return load spreads the journey's CO₂ across two payloads, halving the carbon intensity per tonne-kilometre
Empty running generates the same CO₂ as a loaded journey but delivers no freight; backloading maximises asset utilisation and reduces the carbon intensity per unit of freight moved.
Which government scheme provides grants for switching HGV fleets to alternatively fuelled vehicles?
Answer: The Plug-in Truck Grant and HGV Zero Emission Road Freight Trials (ZEFR) administered by Innovate UK / DfT
The UK government's ZEFR trials and Plug-in Truck Grant schemes support operators transitioning to electric, hydrogen and other zero-emission HGVs, reducing the cost barrier to fleet electrification.
What does 'whole life cost' mean when an operator evaluates a new HGV purchase?
Answer: The total cost over the vehicle's operational life including purchase, fuel, maintenance, tyres, insurance and residual value
Whole life cost analysis encompasses every cost element from acquisition through operation to disposal; fuel typically represents 30-35% of whole life cost, making eco-driving particularly important.
How does regular preventive maintenance contribute to fuel efficiency of an HGV fleet?
Answer: Well-maintained engines, filters, lubricants and tyres operate at peak efficiency, preventing the fuel penalty of wear and contamination
Blocked air filters, worn injectors, under-viscosity oil and degraded tyres all increase fuel consumption; a regular preventive maintenance schedule keeps all systems operating at designed efficiency.