Caring for the Environment: Conserving Energy
BP has also made contributions to the saving of energy, in terms of reducing the usage of petrol. Saving a
litre of petrol a day is actually saving 49.5cts a day and therefore $14.85 a month, which was considered a
lot more back in the day. By having the “Save a litre a day” campaign back in 1973, during the Oil Crisis,
BP not only encouraged workers to save their dollars and cents in the inflationary times but also to
conserve Singapore’s precious energy resources. About 98% of our energy resources are derived from oil.
“All our electricity is generated from oil. Town gas and bottle gas is also obtained from oil. All mechanical
means of transportation are powered by oil. In fact almost the entire economy of the country runs on oil.
Therefore in these critical times it is our duty to act responsibly and help the government to conserve our
energy resources,” said Mr. Colin Horn, Marketing Manager in 1973.
At a meeting with the service station dealers, Mr. Horn urged the dealers to support the government’s energy
conservation campaign, as it was in consideration of the world shortage at the time, owing to a 25% cut
back of crude production, that the Singapore government decided to launch this campaign. “We hope that
all of you will co-operate by cutting down your use of electricity at your service station such as switching
off your air conditioners and toilet lights when they are not in use,” said Mr. Horn. He urged the dealers to
consider looking into the number of hours service stations should remain open. The dealers were encouraged
to think of other means of conserving energy. A discussion followed the address by Mr. Horn and their
dealers have initially agreed to switch off all gibbet signs at 10 p.m. and to reduce the 14 canopy lights to
seven. They minimised their use of air conditioners and ensured that any lights not in use were switched off.
Helping motorists to save petrol
Posters were prominently displayed to urge motorists
to “Save a litre a day” at all service stations. All motorists
driving into service stations were given leaflets telling them
in three languages, how they could save a litre a day. 15 hints
to reduce petrol consumption and advice on motoring
habits were given such as avoiding jack rabbit starts and
sudden stops as these “eat up twice as much gasoline as
gradual acceleration and braking.” Other hints include keeping
the engine in tune to get better “kilometrage” (by about
10%) and not running the engine when the car is parked.
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'Save a litre a day' compaign.