Ask the expert: Where can I save money on my fleet?

Saving money on your fleet without compromising safety or quality is one of the biggest challenges faced by fleet managers on a daily basis. Here are a few tips on where to start from the experts. 

Managing a fleet is a detailed, complicated process with frequent changes and curveballs. There are hundreds of tiny details to keep track of and seemingly unlimited ways in which you can lose money. So, we’ve asked our fleet experts to point out a few fail-safe areas where you can always save money. If you ensure these areas are consistently running smoothly your fleet will be less at risk of unexpected expenses.

Be fuel-efficient

No matter what type of vehicle you have on your fleet, the way they are driven has a huge impact on your fuel bill at the end of the month. Many companies send their drivers on safety and even hijack prevention courses, but few think to include training that focuses purely on efficient driving. Drivers who are trained specifically to drive as efficiently as possible (some companies have incentives), naturally become more conscious of how they treat their vehicles in general. This leads to further cost savings as efficient drivers tend to take better care of their vehicles.

Interrogate insurance costs

Insurance is a big (and vital) expense for any fleet. And as tedious as it sounds, reading the fine print and asking expert advice, can lead to impressive savings on your fleet budget. Fleet insurance needs vary depending on vehicle type, purpose, routes, products being transported etc, so there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all fleet insurance. Make sure you’re not paying for unnecessary extras, and make absolutely sure that you’re covered for all the crucial risks.

Tyres are gold

One of the biggest bleeding points in any fleet is excessive tyre damage. Tyres need to be treated like gold (because they often cost just as much), and they’re also your first line of defense in maintaining impeccable fleet safety. Fleet managers should have strict policies and guidelines as to when, and by whom, tyre inspections must be done. Running tyres at the incorrect pressure (over or underinflated) increases wear & tear, as well as the risk of a blowout. Add to that the cost of increased fuel consumption caused by poorly maintained tyres, and this can quickly become an unnecessary drain on your fleet budget.

Track your traffic

Keeping track of traffic, roadworks, and general route optimisation is one of the most effective ways to save on fleet expenses. A vehicle that’s stuck in traffic is losing money. It could be as simple as avoiding a specific road or using an alternative highway for a few months whilst certain areas are under construction. In other cases, you may need to schedule your fleet to avoid certain areas at certain times. This requires a lot of planning and staying on top of traffic patterns along your preferred routes and many companies turn to external fleet partners for help. Get your routes right, however, and you could save an impressive chunk of the budget each year.

Fit your purpose

Ensuring that your vehicles are the perfect fit for the purpose of your fleet is one of the biggest cost savings you can make as a fleet manager. Vehicles that aren’t fit for purpose will cost you more in all areas, including the points mentioned above. If your fleet is running vehicles that aren’t entirely suited to the job, chances are they’re being overloaded or driven along with roads types they simply weren’t built to handle. This will lead to higher repair and maintenance costs, and will also affect your resale value as the vehicles will be in poor condition by the time you want to defleet. Finding the perfect vehicles for your fleet is a sure way to save a small fortune down the line.

There are many areas where you can save money on your fleet, and these will often differ depending on the type of fleet you are operating. The points mentioned above, however, are fairly universal and if you need a starting point for where to start saving money, the above list is an excellent guide.

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