Due to the current increase in the pump price of petroleum products which started as a result of the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. Many people and especially car owners are now looking for the list of the top 5 efficient cars to use. The subsidy on petrol was removed recently and the new price range is between #488 to #577 per litre. The citizens are trying as much as they can to adapt to the change in the price of fuel. The evidence of the change can be seen as there reduction in the long queues at the fueling stations.
The only strategy that Nigerians have chosen to handle the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria and the high cost of fuel in the filling stations is by using fuel-efficient cars so that the fuel consumptions are less. These highly fuel-efficient cars enable people to travel long distances and maximize their fuel consumption. This strategy will help raise Nigerians’ hope to offset the increased fuel prices by reducing their overall fuel consumption.
This consumer behaviour has shown the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria and the importance of using fuel-efficient cars at this time the price of petrol is on the increase. There are also adjustments in the choice or means of transportation by Nigerians that will help them pass through this high cost of fuel.
Fuel Subsidy Removal In Nigeria – Ways To Reduce Fuel Consumption
In as much as we know that car engines need fuel to run, it doesn’t mean that we cannot make some adjustments or changes to help you save some fuel. The following are the reduce the high cost of fuel consumption which was caused by the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria.
Your Tires Should Always Be Pumped Up
One of the first steps you must use to overcome the challenge of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria is to ensure that that your tires are pumped up. If you have tires that are underinflated, you will have a higher rolling resistance on the road. It means that for every kilometre you travel, your tires will generate more friction and rolling resistance, thereby increasing your fuel consumption. But if your tires are underinflated by 10 psi, this could reduce fuel efficiency by up to 10%.
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Reduce The Weight In Your Boot
Reducing the weight of your boot is one of the ways you can reduce the impact of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria which has caused a high price of fuel in the country. If you have the habit of keeping everything and anything in the boot thereby having a lot of load in your boot, with the emergency spares, you need to think about it when loading your boot the next time. Any extra 50kg excess load on your car will make your fuel consumption to increase by 2%.
Ensure You Drive With AC
Ensuring you drive with AC on is one of the ways to overcome the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria.When you drive your car at high speeds above 8okm/h with your windows down, it will cause a lot of wind resistance and cause you to have a higher consumption of fuel. With this, it means driving with AC enables you to use less fuel on the car.
Do Not Drive Very Fast Or Very Slow
Not driving your car very fast or very slow is one of the ways to handle the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria and its cost effects. When you are driving down the highway, your car engine works hard to overcome wind resistance. In this process, your car will burn up to 15% more fuel at 100km/h and 25% more at 110kn/h.
You might be thinking that the best thing to do to conserve fuel is to drive slowly, but that is not true because when you drive slower than 50km/h, your engine will drop to a lower gear, thereby using more fuel. You should drive a steady 50 -90km/h on the highway to be able to economise your fuel.
Be Steady When Accelerating
You don’t need to be revolving your accelerator to a high revolution per minute (RPM). Doing this is one of the ways to reduce the impact of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria because it will help you to economise your fuel. This is because your engine uses a lower quantity of fuel when it is revolving slower at a lower RPM.
Avoid Using Your Brake Aggressively
The constant use of the brakes increases fuel consumption because you will need to accelerate again later. This is the reality especially if you are following the car in front of you too closely. You must avoid tailgating while driving because it is very dangerous and must be avoided.
Cruise With Your Car In Top Gear
If your car has an automatic gear system, use the cruise control to keep your speed constant. But if you have a manual car, you must maintain a higher gear when appropriate. In any of these situations, your car engine will go through fewer revolutions per minute (RPM) and will reduce your fuel consumption.
Practice Predictive Driving
While driving, always look at the road ahead of you and plan your next move. Instead of using the brakes to a complete stop, you should try to slow down as you approach the red light. On getting to the foot of a hill, you should start accelerating as you edge closer to it rather than when you approach it. Do not accelerate hard when driving or moving your car from a complete stop, or climbing a hill as this will increase your fuel consumption thereby increasing the impact of the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria on your finances.
Ensure You Plan Your Rush Hour Rate
Always stopping and starting on traffic puts a lot of pressure on your car engine thereby causing your car to consume more fuel than expected. If it is possible, plan your movements to and from work carefully to help you avoid meeting the worst of the highest traffic.
Do Not Park Your Car And Stay Idle For Long Without Moving
One of the ways to reduce the impact of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria is to ensure you do not park your car and wait for someone while your car engine is still on. Ensure you turn off your engine to reduce your fuel consumption. This is because as long as your car engine is on, the fuel is burning while you are parked in one place. So always off your car engine while waiting for anyone or anything.
Recent statistics of 2022 from the National Bureau of Statistics show that Nigerians spend an average of 10 per cent of their disposable income on petrol. This consumption rate is very high when compared to the global average of 4 per cent.
List Of Top 5 Fuel-Efficient Cars To Use To Reduce The Impact Of Fuel Subsidy Removal In Nigeria
The following is a list of the fuel-efficient cars to use to reduce your fuel consumption in this era that the fuel prices have gone up due to the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. They are as follows:
- Toyota Prius
- Honda Civic
- Kia Niro
- Toyota Corolla
- Hyundai Ioniq
- Toyota Yaris
- Kia Rio
- Nissan Versa
- Honda Insight
- Volkswagen Polo
It can be noted that most of these cars are very expensive and are not affordable. But we are going to be looking at the top 5 fuel-efficient cars to use in Nigeria to reduce the impact of the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. These cars are also cheap and affordable in Nigerian market presently. The list is as follows;
Toyota Corolla
This is one of the most popular cars in Nigeria and can be used by citizens to reduce the impact of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. Almost all families in Nigeria drive Corolla, and in case you are looking for any beautiful car that can also serve and high fuel conservation level, Toyota Corolla is your sure plug.
The fuel consumption power ranges between 10km/L to 13.7 km/L and it is one of the cheapest cars you can buy in Nigeria. The price of Nigeria’s used brand of Toyota Corolla is #1.5 million naira. But if you want to go for a clean Tokumbo used Toyota Corolla, you should be budgeting around #3 million nairas and above. To know more about Toyota cars, click here.
Toyota Prius
This model of the car now has a new 2.0 Litre engine and a lithium-ion battery in its 2023 redesigned model and this update has boosted the hybrid’s power output and fuel efficiency. Toyota Prius base 194-hp LE trim with FWD is the most efficient at 57/56/57 mpg; opting for the 196-hp AWD variant with a second electric motor drops fuel economy to 53/54/55 mpg. Stepping up to higher trims like XLE and Limited also means a lower rating of 52/52/52 mpg with FWD and 49/50/49 mpg with AWD.
Toyota Camry
This is one of the most popular cars in Nigeria and is similar to the Toyota Corolla. This car can be used to reduce the impact of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria because it has a low fuel consumption rate. Toyota Camry is one of the most affordable cars in Nigeria, it is easy to handle and drive, comfortable, has a nice exterior and is easy to maintain because getting the parts are not stressful because of its popularity in Nigeria. The fuel consumption efficiency capacity of the Toyota Camry ranges from 9.8 km/L to 13.6 km/L.
Hyundai Sonata
This type of car is affordable as per price, has beautiful looks, is comfortable, and is easy to use in Nigeria, It can offer a fuel efficiency range of 8.5km/L to 13.9km/L which makes it fall into the top 5 fuel-efficient cars that will help to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria.
Kia Optima
This is another type of car that is popular on Nigerian roads. It is affordable, the fuel consumption is very low, and it is easy to use. This type of car is a midsize sedan is known for being one of the fuel-efficient cars in Nigeria that has helped in reducing the impact of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. Although the fuel efficiency can vary depending on different factors which include the type of car engine, driving habits and driving conditions. So it is always preferred that you refer to a specific model and car engine specifications for more accurate information. The efficiency figures shown below are based on the general estimates for Kia Optima,
Top Fuel Efficiency Car Improvement Since 1975
The average CO2 emission for the recent new cars has dropped from close to 700 CO2 grams/mile (g/mi) to 437 g/mil, the lowest on the records so far. Fuel consumption has also hit record numbers, in a good way. In the year 1975, the average car got 13 miles per gallon (MPG). We have come a long way since then with the average car in model year 2021 hitting a record high of 25.4MPG. The following is the list of cars with the best fuel efficiency, including hybrid and electric vehicles.
YEAR MAKE & MODEL REAL WORLD FUEL ECONOMY (MPG) ENGINE TYPE
- 1975 Honda Civic 28.3 Gas
- 1980 VW Rabbit 40.3 Diesel
- 1985 GM Sprint 49.6 Gas
- 1990 GM Metro 53.4 Gas
- 1995 Honda Civic 47.3 Gas
- 2000 Honda Insight 57.4 Hybrid
- 2005 Honda Insight 53.3 Hybrid
- 2006 Honda Insight 53.0 Hybrid
- 2007 Toyota Prius 46.2 Hybrid
- 2008 Toyota Prius 46.2 Hybrid
- 2009 Toyota Prius 46.2 Hybrid
- 2010 Honda FCX 60.2 FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle)
- 2011 BMW Active E 100.6 EV
- 2012 Nissan-i-MiEV 109.0 EV
- 2013 Toyota IQ 117.0 EV
- 2014 BMW i3 121.3 EV
- 2015 BMW i3 121.3 EV
- 2016 BMW i3 121.3 EV
- 2017 Hyundai Ioniq 132.6 EV
- 2018 Hyundai Ioniq 132.6 EV
- 2019 Hyundai Ioniq 132.6 EV
- 2020 Tesla Model 3 138.6 EV
- 2021 Tesla Model 3 139.1 EV
Since the year 2000, the most efficient cars that exist have been hybrids, electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles. But before this period, car manufacturers were able to increase fuel efficiency by making the cars smaller and lighter. This has also impacted the car’s horsepower. With the recent introduction of hybrids and electric cars, car manufacturers have increased fuel efficiency without sacrificing power.