Fuel Efficient Driving Tips to Decrease Costs (and Emissions) of your Fleet

No matter how large or small your fleet, the cost of fuel is arguably the most difficult budget item to accurately predict. Gasoline prices fluctuate on a weekly – sometimes even daily – basis, making it nearly impossible to accurately pin down predicted costs.

Overall, though, one thing that’s easy to predict is that costs will remain high, and that’s why today, it’s critical for fleet managers to take a proactive role in helping keep fuel costs as low as possible. One of the most effective ways to control costs is to initiate a robust program of cost-cutting strategies aimed at both decreasing fuel consumption and increasing efficiency.

Here are a few areas to consider when devising a fuel efficiency plan for your fleet:

Take your foot off the pedal:

Reduce fuel by coasting when possible, using the vehicle’s own momentum to keep it in motion – but always keep your foot poised at the pedal to provide control and fuel as necessary.

Increase your braking distance to three seconds:

Hard and fast braking and then getting back up to speed has a big impact on fuel use; it’s much more efficient to brake slowly, and it also prevents excessive wear on brake pads – an added savings bonus.

Anticipate changes in speed:

It uses a lot more fuel to get going once your vehicle is completely stopped than it does to maintain a lower speed. Keeping an eye on the traffic flow in front of you can help you anticipate stops and slow-downs, allowing you to coast gradually to lower speeds or change lanes while maintaining a more consistent speed.

Check your tires:

Make sure your tires are inflated to the pressures recommended for your vehicle. It doesn’t take much for tires to become deflated; keeping them properly filled with air helps cut down on friction, which in turn improves efficiency.

Change your delivery times:

Driving at night avoids stop-and-go driving habits required during periods of heavy traffic.

Keep in touch:

Regularly email efficiency tips to drivers and consider adding an incentive program to drivers who actively work to conserve fuel.

Slow down:

Aim to drive six-10 miles (10-15 kms) under the posted limit, which allows for smoother braking in sluggish traffic and in construction areas and helps maintain a consistent speed – a critical key in achieving fuel efficiency.

Get some guidance:

Consider partnering with outside training programs aimed at teaching drivers to operate their vehicles more efficiently.

Benefits Go Beyond Cost Savings

Instituting a comprehensive program of efficiency measures can be a considerable task to undertake, but in addition to the savings in costs your company can realize, there’s another built-in benefit that can improve your public image and maybe even garner some free – and positive – publicity for your company: Cutting fuel consumption also results in significant decreases in harmful emissions, helping your company operate in a greener, more earth-friendly manner that translates well in the public relations arena.

In fact, there are few initiatives your company can undertake which offer such strong dual benefits. Once your company has its fuel-efficiency program in place and, hopefully, has some statistics to show how successful it’s been in reducing emissions, it’s time for the marketing people to step in and devise a plan to promote that program to the media, emphasizing its impact on cutting emissions through a reduced use of fuel.

Make fuel-saving behaviors a part of your company’s operating and driver training plans and your company can achieve some significant benefits including decreased cost of fuel, less wear and tear on vehicle parts, lower emissions and a boost in public image. The key to any fuel efficiency program is to begin as soon as possible; these tips provide a jumping-off point that can help you get started on developing a company policy that meets your company’s unique needs.

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