Eco-driving is a set of best practices used at the wheel to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Recommended driving behavior includes maintaining a constant speed, thinking ahead to avoid brake pedal use, and regularly checking tire pressure.

Renault plays an active part in training and raising awareness concerning eco-driving, notably through its eco-driving simulators and open day events. And it went a step further in 2009, by forming a partnership through its Renault Environnement subsidiary with the Belgian company, Key Driving Competences (KDC).

The objective is to design innovative eco-driving training courses to sustainably reduce fuel consumption by an average 10%.

KDC training courses are based on professional tools (vehicle data recordings and trainee progress) and a methodology for monitoring the trainee for up to 12 months in order to change driving attitudes.

The program is aimed at helping company fleets to significantly reduce their fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. At the end of the program, a considerable decrease in the cost and environmental impact of the vehicles is noted.

For the same journey:

• fuel consumption is reduced on average by 10%,
• fleet vehicle maintenance and repair are less frequent and less expensive,
• insurance premiums are lower.

KDC methodology provides an objective measurement of driving attitudes before, during and after the training courses through an advanced methodology based on the research work of KDC and partner university laboratories (including Ghent University in Belgium). Each driver can quantify exactly the progress made in terms of cost, environmental impact and safety.

In addition, to maintain the good driving behavior learned in the course, KDC proposes personalized monitoring for drivers, over the short and long term.

Another partnership, with Transics International, was formed in 2009 to develop a system to analyze, interpret and assess the eco-driving skills of truck drivers in real time.

KDC training is given by professional teachers with the requisite technical driving abilities and educational resources.

The partnership with Renault will lead to personalized programs for specific vehicle characteristics and to the development of eco-driving training courses with electric vehicles.