In the late 1990s, a method of driving to achieve optimum fuel consumption was developed in Finland. News of the success this delivered reached Sweden where the Swedish Road Administration, Swedish National Association of Driving Schools (STR) and the Swedish Energy Agency spread the message and put the conditions in place to teach Swedes Eco driving. The Eco driving concept was developed for lighter vehicles and has since been further developed to cover heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and machinery. Eco driving is a training package that teaches drivers to adopt a fuel efficient and economic driving approach while also reducing environment impact. It is about technique, environment and economy in harmony.

Eco driving has focused on training occasions where the average fuel savings and directly related carbon dioxide savings have been around 13% for light vehicles and HGVs and between 20-30% for machinery. Unfortunately, without subsequent monitoring and motivation, drivers tend to revert to their previous style of driving. Which makes it difficult to assess the long-term effects of these courses. Although subsequent monitoring is an important element of the Eco driving training package many companies lack the time and resources to establish the procedures required.

The Swedish Road Administration has therefore, in partnership with STR, developed Fuel efficiency coaching to support companies and organisations in maintaining a more long-term approach to fuel saving. In early 2005 the Association of Fuel Efficiency Coaches was established to take over part of this work from the Swedish Road Administration.