Motorists have had to rethink how much fuel their vehicles consume after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Friday, June 30, revised the prices of petroleum products, with a litre of petrol retailing between Ksh193 and Ksh200, depending on the town.
Taking Nairobi, for example, motorists will pay Ksh195.53 per litre of super petrol, Ksh179.67 for diesel and Ksh173.44 per litre of kerosene.
These rates can be used to help motorists understand how much fuel their cars will be consuming in the wake of increased value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products.
Generally speaking, a car with a larger engine capacity will consume more fuel than a car with a smaller engine capacity. This is because a larger engine needs more gas to produce the same amount of power as a smaller engine.
However, there are other factors that can also affect fuel consumption, such as the car's weight, aerodynamics, and driving style.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Okoth Olambo, a mechanical engineering expert noted that a heavier car will consume more fuel than a lighter car, and a car that is aerodynamically inefficient will also consume more fuel.
"We can only calculate approximate figures since the actual fuel consumption of a car will vary depending on the factors, including the driving skills of the motorist," Okoth explained.
Here is a table that shows the approximate fuel consumption of cars based on their engine capacity, in Nairobi:
Okoth also explained some tips that can help a driver save fuel, including driving smoothly and avoiding sudden acceleration and braking.
"It is important for a driver to keep his or her tyres inflated to the correct pressure so as to avoid drag files that may force the engine to demand more power," he explained.
Drivers are also advised to avoid carrying unnecessary weight in the car, and using cruise control on long journeys since the higher the speed, the more fuel a vehicle consumes.
The techniques which motorists can leverage to lessen fuel consumption also include the need to turn off the engine if they are stopping for more than five minutes. This will reduce engine idling, save fuel and reduce emissions.
Other techniques include removing excess weight from a car since every extra pound that a car carries may lead to increased fuel consumption.
Meanwhile, a well-maintained car will be more fuel-efficient.
"Make sure to get your car's oil changed regularly and have it serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations," Okoth explained.
