One hundred car drivers in Exeter, including employees at Exeter City Council, are trialling Lightfoot technology for free in their personal cars.

Lightfoot, which is based in Exeter, originally set out to make hybrid motors for vans to reduce fuel consumption and emissions but now offers a telematics system to improve driver behaviour, with some fleet operators reporting that their drivers are up to 60% less likely to have an ‘at-fault’ accident as a result of the technology.

The initial results from the trial in Exeter, which aims to see whether Lightfoot has the same effect with consumers, are "extremely encouraging", according to Lightfoot. 

In the first week, the percentage of drivers on the trial who achieved 'Elite Driver level' was 54% (up from 3%). Participants have also taken to social media to detail their fuel efficiency savings, with improvements of 15-30% being reported.

The trial forms part of the work of Exeter City Futures, an initiative backed by the City Council to make Exeter "cleaner, greener and smarter" in the way that it functions.

Catherine Hill, business and commercial partnerships manager and programme manager of Exeter City Futures, said: “We are looking into installing Lightfoot technology into Council fleet vehicles and some of our staff are part of the pilot, having the gadget in their personal vehicles. Some have noticed the difference in their driving already, accelerating less harshly and being calmer drivers. We are excited about how this pilot could improve the health of Exeter residents, workers and visitors, one of the aims of the Exeter City Futures programme.”

Lightfoot’s employees are also using the technology to improve their daily commute.

Lightfoot managing director Mark Roberts said: “The majority of our staff live in Exeter and are already seeing huge benefits, from saving money on fuel to more pleasant journeys. We also have a team league table to find out who the best driver is each week, which brings with it its own rewards."

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