Fuel represents a major source of expenditure for any fleet. But a few simple steps can entail significant savings…
Monitor Driver Behaviour
How your drivers behave behind the wheel will have a massive impact on your fuel costs. Things like needless acceleration, speeding and engine idling will all consume fuel at an increased rate; not to mention increase the wear on your fleet’s vehicles and pose a duty of care risk. Telematics technology can make it easy to monitor driver performance, without being invasive.
Eliminate Needless Journeys
If the coronavirus pandemic taught us anything, it’s that a lot of business can be conducted online and via digital meetings. In which case, it makes sense to eliminate need journeys; especially given the current price of petrol and diesel. Think about where digital meetings are suitable, and encourage them over in-person meetings when they’re superfluous.
Choose the Right Vehicles
The vehicles you choose, as you might expect, will have a massive influence on your total fuel costs. Some options simply have better mpg rating than others. Whilst mpg isn’t a fleet’s only consideration (safety and driver comfort are crucial) it should be factored in when making purchases. Some fleets might be in a position to adopt EVs, dispensing with the problem altogether.
Plan Your Routes
Most of us don’t plan our journeys by car anymore – simply using a sat nav instead. Nevertheless, it still makes sense for fleets to properly plan the routes taken by their drivers. The nature of roads used, the presence of traffic and road works, can all be a factor in the amount of fuel your fleet gets through; so, the shortest route isn’t always the most economical.
Don’t Neglect Vehicle Maintenance
Fleet vehicles need to be properly maintained in general, as a matter of safety and duty of care. But it also has a massive effect on fuel consumption. Properly inflated tyres, efficient braking systems and smooth clutches will all use less fuel.
The Government May Relax Its EV Target For Trucks – https://autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/the-government-may-relax-its-ev-target-for-trucks/
Most Drivers Unaware Of Changes To Highway Code – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/most-drivers-unaware-of-changes-to-highway-code/