Fuel prices have been in the news a bit lately, with Queensland’s Labor party promising price caps and a dozen government-owned not-for-profit petrol stations in the state, should Labor be re-elected. The price cap proposal copies the West Australian model of regulation, where petrol price rises are limited to one per day, with prices notified to the public the day before any price rise.
Time will tell whether the plan is implemented and what impact those 12 stations and daily price setting will have on prices at the pump (WA does benefit from more stable prices). But in the meantime, there are several practical ways that your business can reduce its fuel costs. Let’s take a look at some of them here:
Better Route Planning
One sure way to reduce fuel use is by choosing the most efficient route to your destination. With modern GPS tracking and fleet management software, such as Fleetcare’s Fleetdynamics, you can ensure your drivers are always taking the most direct routes with the least traffic. That means less time idling in traffic, shorter distances, and less fuel consumption. It all adds up to big fuel savings.
Fuel-Efficient Driving Behavior
Lead-footed drivers lead to big fuel bills. Encouraging your drivers to keep a steady speed and avoid harsh acceleration and braking, and reduce the time spent idling, is a sure way to reduce fuel use. By training your drivers and using telematics, like Fleetdynamics, to monitor their behaviour you can identify and correct the bad driving practices that are costing your business money. And when they are doing the right thing, you can reward them to motivate positive change.
Regular Maintenance
Poorly maintained vehicles are costing you money in unnecessary breakdowns and poor fuel efficiency. Regular maintenance, such as timely oil changes, proper tire inflation, and engine tuning, can improve fuel economy for every hour they are on the road. Under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%, while a well-maintained engine can improve fuel efficiency by up to 4%.
Choose Fuel Efficient Vehicles
With the ever-increasing choice of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles on the market, there is no excuse for keeping a thirsty vehicle in your fleet. With a growing network of charging stations, and government incentives for green vehicles, the long-term savings on fuel make such vehicles a smart choice for your business. When it’s time to update your fleet, fuel efficiency and the right finance choice should always be top of mind.
Monitor Fuel Consumption
Fuel is expensive, so it makes sense to keep a close eye on it with fleet management software that can track and monitor fuel consumption. By setting benchmarks and regularly reviewing fuel usage data, you can identify trends, detect any irregularities (such as fuel theft), and take quick corrective action. And when you know your fleet’s fuel consumption patterns you can plan refuelling strategies that take advantage of lower prices when they’re available.
Fuel Cards
One surefire way of saving money on fuel is with a Fleetcare fuel card which offers you discounted fuel on every litre you buy, as well as in-depth reporting on each card-users fuel use. Plus, you get the benefits of a single monthly invoice to make monitoring that fuel use quick and easy.
By putting these strategies to work, you’ll not only reduce your fuel expenses but also improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of your operations.
With over 30 years in the business, Fleetcare has the experience you need to help your business cut those expensive fuel costs and keep things on the road and running smoothly. So why not contact Fleetcare today on 134 333, and gain from our experience.