A smartphone app to track the fuel efficiency of cars using GPS has been created for UK drivers by the Energy Saving Trust Scotland.

The FuelGood app can save cash by tracking journeys, alerting drivers when they are driving inefficiently, and highlighting the savings they could make by following a range of driving tips. Research has shown drivers can save up to two months’ worth of fuel off their yearly fuel bill – potentially worth £250 a year – by following these tips.

The free FuelGood app uses GPS satellites to measure journey length, time taken per journey, average speed and average miles per gallon. This then lets drivers know how their average carbon emissions stack up, and the potential savings they could make by driving efficiently. New additional features will also be coming soon to the app to allow drivers to challenge their friends and share results on social media.

The app also suggests tips to cut fuel consumption, such as anticipating road conditions, driving smoothly, shifting to a higher gear as soon as possible and switching off unnecessary air conditioning.

Ian Murdoch, Manager for Scottish Transport at the Energy Saving Trust, Scotland, said: "FuelGood uses the technology locked inside smartphones to show how motorists can drive more efficiently and save money.

"Simple tips like driving smoothly and shifting to a higher gear as soon all have their part to play – and they don’t necessarily slow you down. The FuelGood app provides drivers with instant feedback at the end of their journey, then suggests tips like these."

Keith Brown, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Transport, added: "We are all looking at ways to cut fuel consumption and this is a great tool to track everyday journeys and to see the difference that driving efficiently can make."

FuelGood calculates its results by asking users to enter details of their car, such as size and engine capacity, before locking onto GPS satellites and beginning to record data.

When users end a journey, FuelGood provides feedback on distance, duration, average miles per gallon, a map of their journey and average speed, as well as giving average carbon emissions, and the amount which could have been saved by following fuel efficient driving techniques.

Users will soon be able to challenge friends and family to compete to beat their savings, or upload their results to social media.

The FuelGood app is available for iPhone users from the App Store and for Android devices through Google Play.

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