PP7: The free (or subsidised) distribution of energy trackers

The car company Nissan has noted how when drivers are provided with a fuel efficiency gauge on their dashboard they typically reduce their fuel consumption by around 10%. That is actually a huge margin when it comes to fuel conservation and especially so given that it is achieved so simply. Nissan has promised to include such gauges on all its new cars.

The idea of this policy is to ensure that every household in the UK has an energy consumption display to allow people to see how much electricity they are using. The awareness this generates, as people run around the house switching things off standby mode to see the effect, can be staggering. As green policies go I see this one as being relatively straightforward, cheap and effective. If it could produce an effect similar to that with drivers, then it is surely well worth it.

Households could be sent a government issue one or perhaps be allowed to claim back a certain amount if they decide to go out and purchase a more fancy one of their own. The exact details can be worked out by people far clever than I, but I can’t see it being unworkable. This is a horribly simple idea, but like all simple ideas, it might just be one of the most effective.