Fuel accounts for the majority of a fleet’s operating costs – and with diesel and petrol costs now 58% higher than just two years ago, it’s more important than ever for fleet managers to keep a close eye on consumption and explore opportunities to reduce overall consumption and drive efficiency. Here are Geotab’s five top tips on how technology can reduce fuel consumption sustainably and long-term for business fleets.
1. The right vehicle for the right job
Fleet managers should select vehicles with varied engine outputs for their fleet and use them appropriately for any given situation. With the help of telematics, vehicle downsizing and energy efficiency potential with regard to fleet size can easily be identified.
It is also worth considering the use of electric vehicles for transporting smaller loads: their overall operating costs are typically lower than those of other vehicles and are, of course, much more sustainable owing to their lack of emissions.
2. Regular maintenance increases fuel efficiency
Fleet managers should ensure their vehicles are inspected regularly to ensure the safety of their employees, but also to mitigate future wear and tear. Fleet management software allows managers to always keep track of the condition of all their vehicles. Furthermore, regular maintenance (such as replacing air filters or changing engine oil) can increase fuel efficiency during trips.
3. Advantages of route optimisation
Uneven and poorly maintained roads can have a negative impact on fuel consumption and increase overall vehicle wear and tear. Last year, the RAC reported the worst summer for pothole callouts in 15 years. With a fleet management system that has route planning built-in, drivers can easily get customised, pre-planned routes optimised for their journey.
4. Avoid vehicle idling as much as possible
Even if drivers only leave their engines on while stationary occasionally, for just five minutes, this can add up to quite a bit over the course of a day in the entire fleet. It can also lead to damage of critical engine components, and contributes significantly to air pollution.
To prevent this unnecessary wastage and negative impact on the vehicle and the environment, fleet managers should monitor idle times and set limits for parked vehicles or vehicle warm-up, for example.
5. Promote a responsible (and safe!) driving style
Fleet managers should take steps to encourage safe driving behaviour. Appropriate driver training and education can be refined using telematics data to distinguish between hazardous driving behaviour and unique circumstances. Pairing this with a camera solution can also add context to an incident, and enhance coaching further.
