Fleet owners have plenty of costs to manage, from fleet insurance to fuel. And with the rising cost of living pushing up business expenses, controlling spending matters more than ever.
While the cost of fuel can’t be controlled, there are steps you can take to reduce unnecessary usage. This guide shares some practical tips to cut fuel consumption and help your business save money.
10 fuel-saving techniques for your fleet
1. Use fuel cards
A fuel card helps companies manage their fuel spending. They are a popular choice for fleets throughout the UK.
It works similarly to a credit card, allowing drivers to fill up at selected petrol stations using the card. Fleet owners can monitor fuel usage and costs, making it easier to manage budgets.
2. Keep on top of vehicle maintenance
Every fleet manager recognises the importance of regular maintenance and servicing. It helps keep your vehicles on the road and ensures they run efficiently, reducing fuel waste.
Regular servicing makes sure everything’s in working order. You should look out for:
- Engine filters: incorrect maintenance can increase fuel consumption and cause engine wear.
- Oil temperature: the correct temperature in the vehicle’s gearbox lowers resistance, which can reduce the amount of fuel used.
- Air leaks: air brake system leaks can reduce fuel efficiency.
- Wheel alignment: misaligned front and rear axles can cause unstable steering, which in turn increases air resistance.
3. Remove unnecessary items
According to Chevin Fleet, an extra 50kg of weight can increase your fuel consumption by up to 2%! Removing excess weight and implementing strategic loading methods to reduce engine drag can help avoid unnecessary fuel usage.
4. Plan routes efficiently
Smarter route planning can help you save fuel. It’s not just about distance, but also traffic and travel times. Avoiding heavy congestion where possible helps reduce fuel consumption.
5. Limit unnecessary journeys
Limiting unnecessary journeys isn’t just important for time management – it’s important for cutting fuel use too. Combining journeys where possible is a simple way to help your business conserve fuel and save money.
6. Smooth driving
Encourage drivers to drive smoothly and remain in gear. Gently using the steering, accelerator and brakes could help cut down on avoidable use of fuel.
7. Reduce engine idling
Many fleets choose not to monitor idling time, but engine idling can have a huge impact on fuel consumption.
According to research from Transport Research Laboratory, an HGV consumes up to 21.7g of diesel while idling for just one minute. For fleets, which operate multiple vehicles, engine idling costs can quickly add up to hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
8. Monitor tyre pressure
Underinflated and overinflated tyres can negatively impact your fleet’s fuel economy. Regularly checking your vehicles’ tyres should help avoid this.
9. Limit use of air conditioning and heating
Air conditioning and heating both use fuel, so encourage your drivers to use these features only when necessary.
10. Monitor your drivers and provide training
Finally, using telematics systems to monitor driver behaviour can help you identify poor habits that are causing excess fuel use in your fleet.
Consider offering regular training to encourage your drivers to adopt better driving habits. This will not only combat fuel waste, but it will also boost the efficiency of your fleet. Telematics and driver training can also potentially help reduce fleet insurance premiums.
Final thoughts
Without the right measures in place, fuel waste across your fleet can quickly add up. The good news is, it doesn’t have to! Small, practical changes like the ones listed in this guide can help improve efficiency so your business can avoid wasting both fuel and money.
Looking for fleet insurance?
Whether you run a fleet of three or thousands of vehicles, we can help you find fleet insurance for your business. We can offer policies for trucks, vans, cars and taxis in any combination, for any type of business.
Get started with your quote by filling out our online form or calling us on 0333 015 6886.
