{"id":35015,"date":"2022-06-16T16:13:22","date_gmt":"2022-06-16T20:13:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gofleet.com\/?p=35015"},"modified":"2024-11-16T01:29:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-16T06:29:53","slug":"six-ways-to-reduce-fleet-fuel-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gofleet.com\/six-ways-to-reduce-fleet-fuel-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Ways to Reduce Fleet Fuel Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Inflation, the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine have all contributed to an already exorbitant <\/span>rise of fuel costs<\/span><\/a> in North America. Fleet managers everywhere are looking for ways to reduce fleet fuel costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2019 alone, fuel was <\/span>$2.60 per gallon<\/span><\/a>. In March, 2022 fuel prices reached <\/span>$4.17<\/span><\/a>. With no relief in sight, fleet managers are continuously looking for ways to improve fuel economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are six ways that your organization can reduce fleet fuel costs<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

#1: Dispatch the Right Vehicles to Reduce Fleet Fuel Costs<\/span><\/h2>\n

It might be time for a fleet upgrade. Newer trucks, such as <\/span>EVs<\/span><\/a>, use alternative fuel sources or are hybridized for better fuel efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

While you may not necessarily have the resources to replace every vehicle, adding even a few of these trucks can help your fleet become more fuel efficient. More miles per gallon means less fuel consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n

#2: Preventative Maintenance<\/span><\/h2>\n

Proper maintenance of vehicles ensures they are operating at full capacity. In many ways, good vehicle health can reduce the overall costs associated with their operation. Regular engine checks can ensure that nothing goes wrong on the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tires<\/span><\/h3>\n

Tires are a big pain point for many organizations. Keeping tires in good condition and properly inflated can reduce gas mileage by 0.2% for every 1 psi lower than recommended.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Payload<\/span><\/h3>\n

Reducing extra weight in your trucks can have a positive effect on fleet fuel costs. In fact, reducing a truck\u2019s weight by just 100lbs could save nearly $500 in fuel costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

A\/C<\/span><\/h3>\n

While everyone loves to cool off during the hot summer weather, reducing air conditioning usage in your vehicles can also reduce fuel consumption by 3%. The same goes for turning down the heat in colder weather.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many <\/span>telematics solutions<\/span><\/a> can monitor maintenance needs across the whole fleet and send automatic notifications if a vehicle requires a tune-up or inspection.<\/span><\/p>\n

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#3: Improve Driver Habits<\/span><\/h2>\n

Bad habits such as speeding, aggressive driving and harsh braking can incur fuel costs for fleets to the tune of an additional 27%.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Provide drivers with insights into their driving behaviour and offer constructive coaching to get them back on track and improve overall fuel efficiency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Telematics can provide valuable data sets to support driver coaching<\/a> and scorecards, both of which are incentives to feel more engaged while positively impacting your fuel costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

#4: Improve Vehicle Routing<\/span><\/h2>\n

Optimized routing not only shortens delivery times, but can also improve fuel economy. Telematics and <\/span>fleet management software<\/span><\/a> enable fleet managers to create and alter routes in real-time by considering factors such as weather, construction, accidents or other road obstructions.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, trucks get where they need to be on time and faster, saving fuel costs in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

#5: Reduce Idling\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to a recent <\/span>report<\/span><\/a>, idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the size of your vehicles and of your fleet, those numbers can spell big trouble for fuel economy. Fleet managers can reduce fuel wastage by<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n