FUEL-SAVING PRACTICES FOR FLEET MANAGERS
In times when every gallon of fuel saved can lead to savings that affect the bottom line for a company, fleet managers are continuously looking for new methods to reduce fuel costs. As we discussed before, they can conserve fuel and maximize their efficiency through fuel management solutions. But, they could also look at their company’s internal policies, equipment, and maintenance strategies. Monitor your fuel consumption Monitor fuel consumption in real time on any company level and in any area you’re operating. This will allow you to know which equipment is out of range from the consumption point of view, to keep an accurate situation of all fuel consumption equipments and to know for sure the usage of the fuel during the day by day work. Let everyone in the company know about the level of fuel consumption and your objectives to decrease them or keep them under control. Drivers’ training Training programs may teach even the most experienced drivers how fuel economy is reduced by idling, speeding, accelerating or braking aggressively, shifting frequently or improperly, and taking circuitous routes. It is important to train your drivers to adopt fuel-efficient practices and to make them understand their important roles in fuel savings. A relaxed driving style means massive savings in fuel compared to an aggressive one. Driver training programs can help fleets save fuel and money while reducing emissions, increasing driver skills, and improving driver performance. Fuel cards Fuel cards were created to centralize and make the fuel buying process easier for drivers. It allows them to fill up easily on the card, and the outgoings figures remain accurate without needing to shift through a mountain of paperwork. Plus, based on fuel card transactions, fuel monitoring tools can include detailed reporting about fuel consumption, that can highlight drivers and vehicles using excessive fuel. Provide incentives for drivers Using the data gathered from fuel cards, you will be able to see the current performance of each driver and compare it against the fleet average. Thus, you can set attainable targets and provide rewards for improvements. Those who persistently use more fuel than their peers in similar vehicles and on similar routes should be considered for driver training. Encourage drivers to adopt efficient driving behaviors by offering them incentives, such as recognition or special privileges.
Establish key performance indicators Establishing key performance indicators (KPI) for drivers can allow decision makers to observe trends as they evolve over time. You can implement policies to set minimum fuel-efficiency targets, require methods to conserve fuel, or establish goals to reduce emissions. Operating a cost-effective and efficient fleet requires both the knowledge and expertise of fleet managers, and strategic directions from upper management. But all these are strongly dependent on accurate data that is available these days through comprehensive fuel efficiency technologies. Reducing fuel costs is not a new topic, yet many fleet managers are continuously looking for ways to effectively improve their fuel economy. Extracting savings from fuel cost reduction initiatives is important and impacts your company’s bottom line.
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