On-board coaching devices first started showing up on the dashboards of hybrid and electric vehicles as a way to help drivers understand and leverage the new electrified powertrains.

These devices have now migrated over to “conventional” vehicles. Over in this camp, they have a slightly different role – foster better fuel economy by encouraging and developing “greener” driving habits. 

Is this a good thing? Who can say no? But a part of me wants to say, take a hike.

Let’s first look at why they’re more or less a good thing…

Some are just green icons that light up on the dash. In Toyota’s case, it’s a green “Eco” that gives you a symbolic thumbs up on the dash, whenever you’re driving in an ecological manner. It’s easy and dead simple to use – even though I’m sure the software math behind it isn’t dead simple.

It’s also very effective. When Toyota first researched and tested the system, it found that drivers using Eco Drive typically increase the vehicle’s fuel efficiency by about four per cent.

It’s also worth noting that you get fuel efficiency gains even if you don’t “get green” all the time. As long as you’re trying, you’re bound to get some fuel economy benefit.  

Of course, hybrid vehicles have more elaborate “coaching” displays. On its first-generation hybrids, Ford debuted SmartGuage with EcoGuide fuel economy coaching. It was revolutionary in its use of colour and graphic displays, and was ultimately successful in “training” owners on how to drive hybrids in the most efficient manner.

Recently I had a chance to see Ford’s next-generation SmartGuage, as fitted to the new Ford Focus Electric. The cluster display features blue butterflies to represent the surplus range beyond a desired destination. The more butterflies there are, the more surplus you have to get to your final destination and/or charging station.

Ford also developed a way of coaching drivers to better take advantage of the energy that can go back into the battery during deceleration and braking. If this is done as good as possible, Ford claims that the system can capture 95 per cent of the available energy

At the end of each trip, the screen provides distance driven, kilometres gained through regenerative braking, energy consumed, and a comparative gasoline savings achieved by driving electric. Even more information can be had by connecting the vehicle to your smartphone, such as how much electricity your air conditioning is consuming.

All good stuff right? But here’s the thing. I always thought if there was a coach-player relationship going on with my vehicle and myself, that I would be the coach. “What are you doing! This is a passing opportunity here!”

Also, I like my coaches on the loopy side. Bruce Boudreau yelling a blue streak. Bobby Knight throwing a chair. Leo Durocher wanting to win at all costs.

Consider this quote from Leo, on how to play the game: “If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I’d trip her. Oh, I’d pick her up and brush her off and say, ‘Sorry Mom.’ But nobody beats me.”

You going to get that kind of personality from an LED display and some software?

Well, they’re probably working on it.