Does driving with one person and two people consume the same amount of fuel?
2 Answers
Driving with one person and two people does not consume the same amount of fuel. The difference in fuel consumption depends on road conditions and driving habits. Factors affecting fuel consumption: Incorrect driving habits have the greatest impact on fuel consumption. During driving, especially in heavy traffic, at red lights, or when changing lanes, sudden acceleration and hard braking are the most common issues. Experts have conducted fuel consumption tests during acceleration and found that fuel consumption increases by 2 to 3 times compared to driving at a constant speed. Methods to reduce fuel consumption: Regularly maintaining your vehicle according to the service schedule ensures its proper operation. This not only benefits the environment but also leads to lower fuel consumption, as a well-maintained car consumes less fuel. A single maintenance service may not be cheap, but in the long run, it saves more on fuel costs.
I've been driving a taxi for decades, so I'm very familiar with passenger transport. The fuel consumption definitely differs between carrying one person and two. With an extra passenger, the car's weight increases by about 70-80 kilograms, forcing the engine to work harder. When accelerating from a stop, you'll need to press the gas pedal deeper, causing fuel consumption to rise noticeably. This effect is more pronounced in city traffic with frequent stops and starts—I can feel the fuel gauge dropping faster every time I accelerate after braking. It's slightly better when cruising at constant speed on highways, but overall, you'll still spend more on fuel. For long-distance trips, having two passengers can help share the fuel cost, which is great for saving my own expenses. On regular days, I remind myself not to carry unnecessary items—traveling light helps with fuel efficiency. Driving habits also play a role; practicing smooth acceleration can mitigate the impact. Overall, carrying passengers isn't a big deal, but it's important to weigh the pros and cons.
