The summer is the busiest time of year for drivers. With so many cars on the road, there is typically a higher than normal carbon footprint left behind. This summer, CarPrint is aiming to reduce this common occurrence through its app, which utilizes eco-driving technology and techniques.
Scott Osberg, President and Co-founder of CarPrint, discussed the changes in vehicles that have helped fuel the app’s creation and usage.
“The fuel economy gauges in new cars can help drivers learn how to eco-drive and, to some extent, they can keep eco-driving top of mind,” said Osberg. “CarPrint complements these gauges and takes it further. CarPrint is more about the long term, being able to view trip stats and maps from a trip just completed or looking back over months or years. And we keep track of long-term stats and compare actual driving fuel economy to the fuel economy ratings for the vehicle.”
The app uses an on-board data (OBD) scanner paired with the driver's Android or iOS mobile device to track the driver’s eco-driving progress. The scanner plugs into the OBD port near the steering wheel. It transmits driving data via Bluetooth to the driver's mobile device, and then data is uploaded to CarPrint, where numbers are crunched. Users can see their own results and see group data on other drivers, as well as compete in the monthly competition to be the best eco-driver.
“The CarPrint app is free and is available in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. While the app is free, drivers must have an onboard data scanner, which is currently priced at $12 for Android and $35 for iOS on Amazon.
For most people, the OBD pays for itself in reduced fuel costs, and the device can also be used with other automotive apps. For instance, OBD Fusion and Torque are two popular apps that allow drivers to see how their car is running, check whether it needs servicing, and even see if their mechanic is ripping them off with unnecessary repairs.”
The key to the app’s success is turning eco-driving into a game. In the past, Osberg noticed attempts at eco-driving, but each lacked consistency and follow through.
“I got the idea for the app when I was working at the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety,” he said. “We were looking at technology that allowed parents to monitor their teen’s driving and similar technology for bosses to monitor their fleet drivers. This is a very top down approach using video, GPS, and/or audio, and it’s not very popular with teens or employees.
“I said why not pull people to better, safer driving rather than push them? Since the essence of eco-driving is paying close attention to the road, there is a strong connection between eco-driving and safe driving. So, why not appeal to people’s concerns about the environment and saving money? Rather than monitoring, CarPrint is a game that helps people who want to reduce fuel consumption do just that.
“Eco-driving is not difficult to do and anyone can learn green driving techniques. However, studies have shown that people do good at eco-driving while enrolled in scientific studies, but once the studies are over, most people go back to their old wasteful driving styles. I like to say that eco-driving is easy to learn but hard to do all of the time. The trick is to keep at it. CarPrint turns driving into a safe game that keeps drivers engaged.”