Commercial fleets are vital to the economy but managing one can be costly. Maintenance and fuel costs are significantly higher than for a typical car or pickup truck, with semi-trucks or response vehicles traveling around the country to fulfill orders and carry out services. Here are five ways your commercial fleet can save on costs.
1. Check Your Tires
Your tires are vital to your operation and a necessary part of your fleet’s efficiency. The air pressure in each tire can affect a truck’s fuel efficiency. You can save up to 0.6% on average on gas mileage by keeping your tires at the proper pounds per square inch (PSI). In some cases, you could even save up to 3%.
On the flip side, by letting your tires fall below the recommended PSI, your gas mileage can drop by 0.2% for every 1-PSI drop. You should check your fleet’s tires at least once per month.
You also should keep an eye on the treads. Worn-down treads are dangerous and lower your fuel efficiency. Check the tread on each tire regularly. Many truck tires come with a tread-depth indicator that shows when the tread is at an unsafe level.
2. Invest in Telematics
Telematics keeps track of a truck’s statistics and activity reports, including integrated fuel cards and fuel performance reports.
When fleets use telematics, their drivers are more aware of their driving habits and can adjust to improve. They can also track their speed, as excessive speeds can waste fuel.
It might seem intimidating initially, but this data can help the fleet improve everyone’s operations to save the drivers time and the company money.
Telematics devices can cost around $100 to $250 per device, with subscriptions costing from $10 to $20 weekly.
3. Encourage Fuel-Efficient Driving
As mentioned before, the speed at which a driver travels can have a significant impact on fuel efficiency and so can other driving habits.
Encourage them to avoid aggressive driving and to be mindful of braking and handling. Your fuel efficiency can improve by up to 30% when you eliminate excessive braking, especially when followed by sudden acceleration.
Other fuel-efficient driving tips include turning the truck off in stand-still traffic and gently accelerating and decelerating when possible. Make time to educate your drivers on the best ways to drive for fuel economy.
4. Refuel at Economical Locations
Different refueling locations have different fuel costs, with prices varying from town to town based on state and competition.
Have your drivers fill their tanks in the least-expensive areas. Even if they don’t need to refuel fully, they should consider topping off their tanks before driving long stretches or entering pricey areas. This way, they won’t risk an emergency fuel stop in an expensive location.
Even saving a few cents on gas can add up to serious savings.
5. Lower Your CO2 Emissions
When driving, make every effort to keep your carbon footprint small and your miles per gallon high. Cutting down your emissions saves you money and helps the environment. The more emissions your fleet has, the higher the tax amount you will pay in some locations.
You can reduce this amount by following government-implemented energy-efficient vehicle policies. One of the best ways to do this is to invest in more-efficient vehicles, such as hybrid vehicles or trucks with better gas mileage.
Saving on Your Fleet’s Costs
By educating your drivers and implementing fuel-saving practices, you can save money on your fleet’s costs and set your company up for greater success. Considering cost efficiency in some areas – like fuel – will also prepare you for tightening restrictions on corporate carbon footprints.
About the author
Rose Morrison, Renovated
Rose Morrison is a construction writer with a passion for sustainable building and innovative construction technologies. She is the managing editor of Renovated and regularly contributes to a number of reputable sites, such as NCCER, The Safety Mag, and Geospatial World. For more from Rose, you can follow her on Twitter.
