3 tips to help increase your fuel efficiency

fuel efficiency
by
15/03/2017
in Vehicle Tracking
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How good is your fuel efficiency?

Fuel prices are a huge part of the overall annual cost of your fleet. According to a study carried out in 2011, fuel makes up 19% of a vehicle’s total cost of ownership. Therefore fuel efficiency should be high on your business agenda.

We can’t control the price of fuel. International prices are impacted by environmental events as well as supply and demand. Domestic prices are impacted by fuel duty and VAT. Interestingly the average price of diesel in Europe shot up by 92% between 2005 and 2012. In the same time premium unleaded prices rose by 109%.

However, we can control the fuel efficiency of our vehicles and machinery that we use. The routes we ask our drivers to take and job allocation can affect our fuel efficiency. Just a small change here and there will have an effect on your fuel bills.

What can you do to keep make sure your business is always as fuel efficient as possible?

Driver behaviour

Better behaviour on the road can make a big difference to the amount of fuel your fleet uses. Reducing the numbers of incidents of speeding, idling, harsh breaking and cornering can make a huge difference. Already customers have seen an increase in their average vehicle mpg from having tracking fitted.

Talking to a driver about their driving behaviour is not always an easy subject to talk about. It may look like you are spying on them, or implying that they are a bad driver. Vehicle tracking isn’t about big brother, it is about getting the data you need to change long term driving habits.

The driver behaviour reports from Satmo can give you the relevant information in a timely fashion. Use the information to offer under performing drivers training and over performing drivers praise.

Fleet maintenance

Taking care of the fleet will pay dividends with your fuel efficiency, looking after your vehicles can stop you wasting fuel.

Here is a checklist of some things that will help

  • Fit the right tyres, and pump them up to the right pressure for the vehicle. This can cut fuel consumption by up to 15%
  • Keep engines properly tuned
  • Regularly clear out clogged air filters
  • You can reduce drag by removing roof racks when they are not used

Can anything else help?

Telematics

Vehicle tracking and telematics have progressed massively over the last few years.  Use the data gathered from the vehicles to improve things from driving habits to finding the best route and ensuring your vehicles make the most of their time actually spent on the road.

The system from Satmo provide up-to-date traffic information, allowing you to plan a route using the least congested route. This means less time idling in traffic, more punctual appointments and deliveries, and generally avoiding delays and wasted fuel.

To find out more about using the Satmo vehicle tracking system to save fuel in your fleet, download our brochure here or call us on 01274 587748 and we will answer any questions that you may have.

Have you tried to be more fuel efficient before? How did it go? Leave us a comment about your experiences below.

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Fiona Taylor is the Sales Manager at award winning Satmo Vehicle Tracking. If you feel you need help with your fleet, want to gain back control, save some money and time then please get in touch.

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