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Eight ways to monitor and reduce your fuel bill

21/10/2019 by Mark Schneider in Fuel Cards

Fuel is one of the biggest expenses most business running a fleet of vehicles are going to face. Monitoring the cost of fuel and how much your fleet is using is vital if you’re to keep those costs down and your business running as efficiently as possible. What’s needed is a methodical approach to monitoring your fuel bill to keep a lid on those costs and stop them eating into your bottom line. Here are some essential things to watch to help you do that.

Fuel efficient vehicles
Perhaps the most obvious measure you can take is to choose the most fuel efficient vehicle for the job when it’s time to upgrade. Thankfully that’s getting easier these days as there’s a widening choice of affordable hybrid vehicles available offering much improved fuel economy with no loss of performance.

Use the right vehicle for the job
Ever heard the expression “never send a boy out to do a man’s job”? Well if you’re running a fleet the opposite is also true – never send a man out to do a boy’s job. Or in other words, don’t send out a vehicle that’s bigger than you need for the job, you’re simply wasting fuel if you do. Always choose the right size vehicle for the job.

Don’t overload
Having said that, overloading a vehicle will simply increase its fuel consumption and possibly damage it and wear it out faster. It’s also dangerous, so just don’t do it. It’s worth repeating – always choose the right vehicle for the job.

Regular maintenance
Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicles running smoothly, preventing costly breakdowns and maintaining their value. It also ensures they’re running as economically as possible, so keep an eye on regular scheduled maintenance and never neglect it.

Check those tyres
Tyres are all too frequently out of sight and out of mind, but they shouldn’t be because under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption while causing excessive and totally unnecessary tyre wear. The key to keeping those tyres at the right pressure is to make it a point to check them regularly – in fact schedule it in.

Monitor driver behaviour
Bad driving habits, like over-revving, speeding and excessive idling can really waste fuel, but how do you monitor and correct your drivers’ bad habits? Obviously, you can’t sit there in the passenger seat watching them, but you can monitor them remotely using modern telematics, such as Fleetdynamics’ technology. The Fleetdynamics portal gives you all the information you need to monitor such things as speed, RPM, idling and more right there when and where you need it on your computer monitor.

Plan your trip
Getting stuck in the traffic wastes time and fuel, but here’s where Fleetdynamics’ live tracking also comes into its own. It gives you the power to compare travel routes to your destination and choose the most efficient one that’s going to save you time and fuel, while keeping your customers happy.

Fuel cards make sense
One great way to monitor your vehicles’ fuel use is with a Fleetcare fuel card. It offers in-depth reporting to help you monitor and reduce fuel use for each card user, helping you to instantly compare and contrast it to others in your fleet and with vehicle manufacturer’s expectations. A single monthly invoice makes checking fuel consumption quick and easy. All that and discounted fuel as well!
 
For information on the many advantages of Fleetdynamics tracking technology phone 1300 087 225 and to find out more about how a Fleetcare fuel card can save your business time, money and hassle call Fleetcare on 134 333.
Written by
Mark Schneider

Mark is a successful copywriter with over 20 years of professional writing experience.

We welcome him as a guest blogger to Fleettorque.

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