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How to Reduce Fleet Fuel Consumption

February 7, 2025
reduce fleet cost

Fuel expenses make up a considerable portion of a fleet's total operating costs, especially in the context of last-mile delivery. This makes cost control a top priority - and a common challenge - for fleet managers.

Fortunately, advancements in technology and improved driving practices offer effective ways to reduce fuel consumption and thereby lower overall fleet fuel costs.

8 Ways to reduce your fleet’s fuel consumption

1. Maintain optimal tyre pressure

Properly inflated tyres significantly enhance fuel economy, yet this simple measure is often overlooked. Tyre pressure can fluctuate with changes in temperature, making regular checks vital. A tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a proven solution, as it alerts drivers when pressure falls below the recommended level, ensuring tyres remain at optimal pressure.

2. Adhere to speed limits

Enforcing speed limits not only helps save fuel, but also reduces vehicle wear and tear while preventing costly fines. Driving at slower, consistent speeds consumes less fuel, leading to lower expenditures. Incorporating immediate in-cab feedback and camera video monitoring is crucial for coaching drivers, particularly when they engage in aggressive behaviours such as over-accelerating or harsh braking.

3. Minimise excessive idling

Idling consumes more fuel than many realise, leading to unnecessary costs when vehicles run needlessly. Encouraging drivers to switch off their engines during downtime can substantially reduce fuel wastage. Tools such as digital tachographs, which indicate rest periods, combined with the use of external heaters during winter, can offer substantial long-term savings by cutting down on idle time.

4. Prioritise timely maintenance

Timely vehicle maintenance in line with service intervals guarantees optimal performance and improved fuel efficiency. Adopting a proactive preventative maintenance strategy allows fleet managers to identify and address potential issues - such as problems with fuel injection or oxygen sensors - before they escalate. These components play an important role in a vehicle’s efficiency, and fixing them early can prevent unnecessary fuel consumption.

5. Transition to electric vehicles

Switching to electric vehicles (EVs) is the only way to eliminate fuel consumption entirely. Further still, alongside fuel savings, EVs typically incur lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts, while significantly improving fleet sustainability by reducing carbon emissions. However, we understand that transitioning to EVs may not be currently practical for all fleets.

6. Monitor fuel usage

Fleet management software enables managers to track fuel consumption for each vehicle and analyse driver behaviours. These data-driven insights allow managers to benchmark their fleet’s performance and highlight areas for improvement. For instance, actions such as scheduling repairs, selecting the most fuel-efficient vehicles for specific tasks, or providing driver training to target inefficiencies like idling and speeding can dramatically optimise fuel usage.

7. Optimise routes

Route selection is critical in determining a fleet’s fuel consumption. As such, preplanning optimised routes is essential, and managers can achieve this by leveraging historical data from telematics devices to analyse vehicle locations and destinations before identifying alternative paths. When integrated with software, GPS functionality enables real-time monitoring of traffic, road conditions, as well as weather, allowing for on-the-spot adjustments.

8. Implement a fleet management solution

Coordinating all these strategies to reduce fuel consumption can feel overwhelming and time-consuming. Fortunately, modern fleet management solutions streamline this process by integrating specialised software with OEM hardware. These solutions offer a centralised dashboard, providing fleet managers with comprehensive visibility into key fuel consumption metrics, making it easier to outline and resolve inefficiencies.

If you're interested in cutting costs, reducing your fleet's environmental impact, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, then be sure to make an enquiry today to learn more about how our services can minimise your fleet’s fuel consumption.
MICHELIN Connected Fleet

Written by MICHELIN Connected Fleet

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