Optimise now, electrify next

Optimise Now, Then Electrify

While switching to EVs remains the ultimate goal, are fleets missing a simple step in the decarbonisation of their vehicle operations? GREENFLEET explores the hidden potential of route optimisation.

s fleets look to meet emissions targets, the obvious strategy is to swap dirty diesels for electric vehicles (EVs). However, technology can also help cut costs and carbon emissions from vehicle operations. This idea is nothing new to fleet managers - after all, most vehicle operators already benefit from telematics. However, many organisations are still unaware that route optimisation can deliver additional savings over and above vehicle tracking systems.

Only a small number of fleets currently use route optimisation, meaning many more could be missing out. Colin Ferguson, co-founder of route optimisation specialists The Algorithm People, said: “Our research indicates that only about five per cent of fleets are using optimisation,” he said. “This means that a significant amount of organisations are operating at a commercial disadvantage, because they are not realising its efficiency and cost saving benefits.

“There are very clear parallels with the development of the vehicle tracking market. Initially telematics was only

Route optimisation: Are you missing out?

viable for the biggest fleets, as it was quite expensive to install and complex to use. As the costs came down and the technology became more user-friendly, it opened up the market to the small and medium-sized vehicle operators.

“Route optimisation is so well embedded in the big players that, today, they couldn’t envisage operating without it. Our strategy is to make it cost-effective and user-friendly enough for the rest of the market, so that it becomes an essential tool for them in their fight to cut emissions and costs.”

KEY BENEFITS Route optimisation is powered by intelligent algorithms which calculate the most efficient way for an organisation to complete all of its daily tasks involving vehicles. The algorithms make these calculations in a fraction of the time it would take a team of people – and deliver better results.

The achievable benefits can be surprising. “The platform is so efficient that it can reduce total fleet mileage by up to 20 per cent, with the clear reductions in greenhouse gas emissions which that brings,” added Ferguson. “It can also cut total transport costs by up to 30 per cent. These are huge savings and far outweigh the price of using route optimisation, meaning it delivers a rapid return on investment.” WHO USES IT? Route optimisation is most effective for planning vehicles which visit multiple sites per shift. This could be multidrop operations such as last-mile logistics, couriers, or home delivery – but equally it could be scheduling site visits for service engineers or community transport such as a minibus for the elderly and vulnerable.

“One of the barriers for adoption in the past was that route optimisation might only be applicable to some parts of a fleet and not others,” said Ferguson. “That made it too expensive as the ROI simply wasn’t there. However, new ways of consuming route optimisation, such as pay-as-you-go platforms, create new possibilities. A fleet manager can finally deploy route optimisation for the parts of their business where it is effective, without having to pay for it for the parts where it might not be needed.

“For those struggling to adopt electric vehicles, route optimisation offers another way to reduce emissions while also cutting costs.”

• New platforms are more affordable and user-friendly • The efficiency gains can give you a competitive edge • Achievable savings include: • 30% on total transport costs • 20% on fleet mileage and emissions • Substantial reduction in planning time • These savings are on top of what you get from telematics • Proven to reduce carbon emissions from your current fleet

“The platform is so efficient that it can reduce total fleet mileage by up to 20 per cent”