Fuel cost is one of the biggest expenses in fleet management and it’s also constant with fuel charges being added on a daily, or even hourly, basis. With fluctuating fuel prices and differing usage costs on each vehicle, attempting to control fuel spend can feel like collecting water with a sieve.
No matter the size or shape of your fleet, managing fuel costs will always be one of the biggest challenges. Modern technology has, thankfully, given us the means to track fuel spend per vehicle, driver, route, or even customer. This means we can use the data to find ways to cut down on fuel expenses by using more efficient vehicles, driver training, route optimisation, and vehicle maintenance.
The frustration for many fleet operators is that many of these measures feel reactive: only once a problem is identified—which means excessive fuel spend has already happened—can measures be put in place to prevent it from happening again.
What most of us want with the current fuel price is to not have these ‘fuel bleed’ scenarios happen in the first place. We can’t afford to overspend on fuel for even a month.
If this sounds familiar, the good news is that you can get ahead of your fuel spend and you can stay ahead. The only way to do this is to join a robust fleet management partner and install a comprehensive fleet management system that is tailored to your specific fleet needs. We all wish we could save fuel just by googling a few ‘hacks’, but it simply doesn’t work that way. To really cut your fuel cost you need accurate data and strategies based on this data—and that can only be done with a proper fuel management system.
Hidden fuel bleeds
Fleet management is such a complex matrix of performance wins vs fuel expense that it’s impossible for a single person or system to manage every detail. This is where that magic word comes into play: experience.
You can have every known fuel management system in place, but without experience, you still won’t identify all of your potential fuel bleed. Experienced fleet managers know what to look for and can plan way in advance so that your fuel management is not just a reactive system, but proactive.
One example is the effect of aerodynamics on your fuel usage. If you’re driving a small vehicle a few kilometres to work and back every day, aerodynamics are not going to have a big impact on your fuel spend. If you’re running a fleet that regularly uses highways (all types of vehicles), then the aerodynamic drag on these vehicles will have a significant impact on your fleet.
This article on Drag Reduction: The Pursuit of Better Fuel Economy from Illumin Magazine, details the effects of aerodynamics on fuel consumption, but in a nutshell: aerodynamic drag can be responsible for up to 50% of fuel usage in long-haul fleets. Your exact percentage will depend on many factors ranging from air density to the type of vehicle you’re using.
When you picture most trucks, the fact is that no matter how aerodynamic the design is, the front of the truck is still a very large surface that needs to be ‘pushed’ through the air, which causes drag. A good fleet partner will help you choose the most efficient vehicles and also assist with drag reduction accessories.
Certain nose cones can reduce drag by up to five per cent and drawbars need to be perfectly horizontal for optimal drag reduction. These are details that you only pick up with experience, which is why it’s so important to find the right fleet partner.
Another sticking point is rolling resistance. This is the resistance created by tyres on the road. The catch is that you need your tyres to have good traction for optimal performance and safety, but there’s a point where traction turns into resistance and that eats up fuel at a very high rate.
To maintain the optimal balance of rolling resistance you need a strict tyre management programme that ensures tyres are always in good condition, perfectly aligned, and inflated to the correct pressure. This is the only way to keep rolling resistance to a minimum.
Prevention is better than cure
Vehicle maintenance is the most important proactive approach to managing fuel costs. Think about it: every single part of a vehicle can increase fuel costs. From the tyres to mechanical friction, everything can cause your vehicles to use more fuel than needed.
Adhering to strict maintenance schedules and doing regular engine, body, and tyre checks is the only way to stay ahead of any fuel-guzzling problems. Don’t delay maintenance: rather work with our fleet partner to plan ahead and avoid downtime either by scheduling around planned maintenance or adding temporary vehicles to your fleet when others are due to go in for maintenance. One of the biggest mistakes people make is delaying vehicle maintenance, which leads to months of increased fuel spend as vehicles are not performing optimally.
Driver training
All companies know that drivers require a specific license or specialised training for certain types of loads such as hazardous materials. This training often falls short when it comes to fuel-efficient driving. And the reason is very simple: drivers are often taught to ‘save fuel’, but they’re not given enough information, or the right tools, to do so.
If drivers understand their vehicles better and know why certain actions use more fuel they are much more likely to adapt their driving style. Giving someone a list of ‘how to drive’ actions without explaining the reasoning behind them will never be as effective. Make sure your drivers receive the right type of training.
Small things. Big difference
In addition to all of the above, a comprehensive fuel management system will also help you prevent fuel fraud, which can cost you a fortune if you’re not aware that it’s happening.
Depending on your type of vehicles and where they operate, it might even be worth investing in anti-syphon devices. As fuel costs increase so does the risk of fuel theft.
The bigger picture
When you consider all the ways your fleet could be bleeding fuel and the many steps you can take to reduce fuel costs it makes sense to partner with someone who deals with fuel management on a daily basis. A decent fleet management partner can identify risks in the industry before you’re even aware of them and help you make the right decisions for your fleet from which vehicles to use to which routes are the most efficient. No matter the size of your fleet an expert fleet partner will save you money.
Managing your fleet’s fuel also requires driver management, download our free company car policy to learn more about driver liability and responsibility to ensure your fuel-saving measures are being maintained. Looking for professional help? Contact us to arrange a demonstration of how EQSTRA can help with the management of your fleet.
