No-Idling TIPS
Have you ever noticed anyone pull up to a favorite convenience store and leave the vehicle running unattended while going inside to get that warm cup of coffee? Whoops! It’s against the law to do that in Vermont. 23 V.S.A. § 1111. Unattended motor vehicle states that, “No person shall permit a motor vehicle to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition…”.
How much does excessive idling cost?
INDIVIDUAL DRIVERS: Let’s say you drive a typical Vermont car like a Subaru Outback. With gasoline at $3.75/gallon, 5 minutes a day of unnecessary idling will cost up to $65/year; 10 minutes a day will cost up to $130/year. A small compact will be nearly half the cost; a big pick up or SUV will be nearly double the cost. A hybrid? $0.
FLEET OPERATORS: Let’s say you have a 10 vehicle medium-duty fleet. With diesel at $4.00/gallon, 10 minutes a day of unnecessary idling will cost up to $8,500/year; 15 minutes a day will cost up to $13,000/year. A 10 vehicle heavy-duty fleet will be nearly double the cost.
NOTE: costs do not include increased maintenance and shortened engine life due to engine wear caused by extended idling which can add half again to these costs.
Turn off the key and we’ll all breathe easier.
To learn more, visit www.idlefreevt.org
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