Fleets urged to cut fuel costs through analysis
Fleets in the UK have been urged to analyse fuel use data more deeply to reduce the impact of rising fuel costs.
Strategic relationship manager at FleetCheck Barrie Wilson said many fleet managers are missing a trick by looking at fuel costs as a lump sum rather than examining costs at an individual driver and vehicle level. He said the single most important point was to look at the miles per gallon being achieved by individual drivers, which could sometimes differ by double figures
Wilson said: “Most fleets tend to have a fuel card in place and negotiate costs at a macro pricing level. This is obviously an important element of control but further gains can be achieved by using data and software to highlight issues on a granular basis. Driving style is generally the single biggest determinant of the amount of fuel used. The difference between the best and worst performing drivers in similar vehicles on similar roads is sometimes remarkably high.
“Of course, there can be extenuating circumstances such as the routes being covered and the payload carried, but tracking MPGs can identify those with the heaviest right feet. Subsequent training and other targeted measures can often be remarkably effective.
“The same principle applies to vehicles. It is not unknown for individual cars and vans to use an obviously disproportionate amount of fuel and subsequently uncover a mechanical issue. To detect this, it is essential that distances covered and MPGs are accurately recorded and assessed – something that can be done easily by analysing your fuel data. Any sudden drop in fuel economy can be a cause for suspicion.”
Wilson added: “Effective deterrence can be as simple as letting drivers know you are scrutinising fuel expenditure and mileage.
“The arrival of the £2 litre of diesel is a deeply unwelcome development, and we are talking to our users regularly about best practice ideas around data and software that can help them contain petrol and diesel expenditure.”
