Fuel is Your Biggest Operating Cost

For most work truck fleets, fuel is a major expense. Therefore, cutting your fuel costs is a fast way to boost your company’s profit. Small and mid-size fleets can save a lot of money with better management. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference across your vehicles.

Control Spending With Fleet Fuel Cards

Using a fleet fuel card is a key strategy. These cards give you control over where and when your drivers buy fuel. You can set limits on daily spending and stop non-fuel purchases. As a result, this cuts down on misuse and fraud. Furthermore, most fuel card programs give you discounts at certain gas stations. This can save you a few cents on every single gallon purchased. Always look for a card program that offers detailed reporting. This helps you track every dollar.

Train Drivers to Save on Gas

The driver behind the wheel has a huge impact on fuel use. Specifically, simple changes in driving habits can lead to big savings.

• Reduce Idling: Educate your drivers about excessive idling. When a truck sits running, it uses fuel for zero miles traveled. Consequently, set a policy to turn off the engine if the truck will be stopped for more than a minute.
• Smoother Driving: Rapid acceleration and hard braking waste gas. Instead, encourage smooth driving. This is safer, and it helps the engine work better.
• Maintain Speed Limits: Speeding burns more fuel. Therefore, remind drivers that sticking to the speed limit saves both fuel and time.

Use Technology to Track and Improve

If you use a telematics system, use the fuel data it provides. This technology gives you reports on fuel economy for each vehicle and driver. In addition, it can track engine faults that might be wasting fuel. For example, a dirty air filter can reduce mileage. Address these small maintenance issues quickly. Hence, a good tracking program makes it simple to see which vehicles or drivers need help to improve their fuel efficiency. Look for resources on improving driver habits from organizations like the National Safety Council (NSC).

Also read: Driver Etiquette and Liability: Protecting Your Fleet