9 ways to bring down fuel costs

More and more companies are looking for ways to bring down costs and boost their bottom line, as they struggle to remain competitive in crowded markets. Fuel is often a fleet’s largest expense, so there’s always an appetite to increase efficiency and lower expenditure in this particular area. With that in mind, here are nine ways to help bring down fuel costs:  

1. Reduce speed 

The simplest way to make savings on fuel costs is to slow down. The Automobile Association (AA) report that traveling at 85mph on a motorway, rather than the 70mph national dual carriage way speed limit, can increase fuel consumption by up to 25%.* If those increased costs are multiplied over the entire fleet for an entire year, there are massive savings to be made.

2. Turn your engine off! 

Leaving your engine running whilst stationary for just two minutes can use the same amount of fuel as it would take to drive one mile. What’s more, an engine idling for more than a minute burns more fuel than if you were to turn it off and restart it – so, when possible, try to limit your engine idling to no more than a minute.  

3. Keep on top of maintenance 

Vehicles that receive regular services run better and with better fuel efficiency than those that aren't on regular maintenance schedules. Regular oil, air filter changes, and spark plug replacements will improve fuel economy and reduce cost.

4. Check your tyres

Ensuring that you have correct tyre pressure increases fuel efficiency by reducing the amount of resistance on the road. You can also fit low rolling resistance tyres to help your fleet further maximise cost savings on fuel. 

5. Junk in your trunk?

If your drivers are carrying around extra items on every journey, that surplus weight can really cost in fuel. It’s estimated that for every 50 kilos of weight, fuel economy decreases by up to 2%. If you do need to ferry bulky items around, carry them inside the vehicle rather than mounting them on the roof to lessen wind resistance.

6. Keep an eye on your MPG 

Sudden changes in your vehicle's fuel economy could signal an engine fault. Regularly monitoring your MPG can give you an early indication of possible trouble. 

7. Drive sensibly 

We know that speed reduction can help with fuel efficiency, but there are other driving habits that have a detrimental effect on consumption too. Harsh braking, wrong gear selection and sharp acceleration all increase fuel intake, so find ways to encourage and incentivise more measured and efficient driving habits throughout your fleet.

8. Slippage

Unfortunately every fleet faces the risk of fuel theft – and it could be affecting your business without you knowing about it. There are systems on the market which monitor fuel usage and these could be used to detect above average consumption – fuel card integration can also help with monitoring fuel usage and combating fuel slippage. 

9. Park in the shade

It may sound crazy, but parking in a cooler spot during warm weather minimises the evaporation of fuel*. Every little bit helps!