It comes as no surprise that trying to maintain a fleet that’s fuel efficient is one of the more menial tasks for businesses across the country.
With pump prices fluctuating regularly and fuel equating to roughly 30% of the total operating costs of a commercial fleet, businesses should be making fuel efficiency a number one priority.
As technology develops and new innovations come to light, fleets are becoming savvier in how they can become more sustainable. Supermarket fuel card supplier, fuelGenie, prides itself on helping to save businesses money where fuel is concerned. The team has shared their top tips on how fleet managers can keep costs down to a minimum.
- Tyre check – The first way in which organisations can monitor their fuel consumption more closely, is by keeping a close eye on their tyres. If there is low pressure in the tyres, rolling resistance and waste fuel can increase. Not only does keeping tyres at the optimum pressure improve fuel economy, but also keeps the vehicle operating safely. To check what the correct tyre pressure for the vehicle is, head to the TyreSafe website[1]. RAC also has a number of helpful videos to help assess tyres[2].
- Be fleet smart – Fleet Managers should consider how many vehicles they need for their fleet and also which type of vehicles they should opt for. There are many economical vans and vehicles in the market today. Even though they might seem more expensive to begin with, in the long run the benefits will outweigh this initial cost. Also, businesses should ensure the vehicle is the right size for its purpose. Using a large vehicle to transport smaller items could mean excessive fuel wastage.
- Monitor driving habits – Level of fuel consumption is impacted greatly by driving behaviour. Simple changes to driving such as turning off the engine in long traffic jams, keeping loads to a minimum and changing gear earlier can all help to keep fuel costs down. According to RAC[3], drivers should try changing up at an engine speed of around 2,000 rpm (diesel) or 2,500 (petrol). However, the best way to increase MPG is through improved driver training and education. Running workshops on these topic can really help to keep employees fuel efficient.
- Telematics – Getting a detailed report of how vehicles are performing can be essential to helping cut down on costs. The data gathered from these systems can be used to improve driving habits, find the most economical route, and ensure all vehicles in the fleet are making the most of the time spent on the road.
- Aerodynamics – One of the more uncommonly known ways of remaining fuel efficient is by making the vehicle more aerodynamic. Wind drag is a key source of reduced fuel mileage. To minimise this, keep the windows rolled up and where possible, look to remove roof racks and choose smoother wheels.
- Pay less – The most obvious solution to keeping fuel costs down would be to pay less for fuel. One way fleet managers can do this is by signing up to a fuel card, such as fuelGenie. Partnered with some of the UK’s biggest supermarkets, users can be ensured that they are always paying the best price for their fuel. What’s more, the card has no sign up fees, meaning businesses can use as many as they like.
Robert Pieczka, Managing Director of fuelGenie, said: “Fuel costs can be difficult to manage, especially for those with larger fleets. Taking into account tips such as these in everyday use of your vehicle can really help to cut down on costs, and ensure you have an efficient fleet that runs smoothly all year round.”
For more information visit www.fuelgenie.co.uk