May the Greenest EcoDriver Win!

Publication date: 17 September 2008

FIA EcoTour finishes Friday 19th September 2008.

FIA European EcoTour 2008 from Barcelona to The Hague challenges 42 teams and their fuel-efficient vehicles to discover who is the greenest of them all.

The, FIA  EcoTour 2008 staged to coincide with European Mobility Week, and 10 years after the first tour, is showcasing the most fuel-efficient cars both petrol and diesel, in six different categories currently on the European market. During a seven day tour (12th -19th September) through nine countries 42 teams of drivers (ranging from experienced professionals to novice eco drivers) compete daily to see who can cover each leg (of 3-400km) of the tour using the least fuel, with the lowest emissions. Speed and lap times – usually decisive in any motor sport event – are insignificant. Eco-tour champions will be those who drive the most fuel efficiently.

The Eco Tour which started in Barcelona last Friday will finish in The Hague on Friday 19th September passing through Belgium and Brussels on the same day. At every stop, events organised by participating national automobile clubs and partners, offer opportunities to the general public to experience the advantages of eco-driving through computer games and test drive simulators. 

“The EcoTour, clearly demonstrates to the public at large that ‘eco-driving’ is not only fun and good for the environment but it also cuts consumers’ fuel bills significantly” said Wil Botman, Director General, FIA European Bureau. “The FIA, the automobile clubs and their partners are committed to improving fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction. The good news is that everybody can do something to improve the situation.”.

A car-free Europe will remain a long-term vision and objective for some  time to come. In the meantime the FIA and their partners are taking a pragmatic approach to assuring ever cleaner and sustainable daily mobility for Europeans at large.

Notes for the Editors

The 42 cars models are divided into 6 categories:

• Petrol and Diesel
• 7x Mini + super-mini
• 7x Mini + super-mini
• 7x Small family cars
• 7x Small family cars
• 7x Family cars 7x Family cars

The EcoTour is organised by the FIA and the Royal Dutch Touring Club, ANWB. The EcoTour is sponsored by the FIA Foundation and ARVAL.

For the EcoTour press pack and more visit the EcoTour website at www.ecotour2008.eu

For more information you can contact Sinziana Radu Gille, at +32 2 2820816 .