Eco driving: Stay green and safe on the road

Eco driving is the practice of green and safe driving. It's beneficial for fleet managers – not only for the entire fleet but also for its cost-saving potential. Irresponsible driving can impact driver safety and a company’s reputation.

This article will discuss the benefits of eco safe driving for fleets and how a fleet management solution can help you achieve green and safe driving.

What is eco driving?

The idea of eco safe driving in Europe first appeared in Switzerland and Finland at the beginning of the 21st century and began to gain popularity in other European countries too. Eco driving or economical driving is a way of operating a vehicle to control and reduce unnecessary fuel consumption, improve drive and road safety and minimise risk. There are three levels of eco driving.

1. Eco driving - strategic level

As a fleet manager, your approach to each vehicle is important – consider the model of vehicle, its standard fuel consumption and general maintenance costs. You must ensure tyres are properly inflated, oil is changed regularly and maintenance tasks are scheduled appropriately. The strategic Eco driving level is a fleet policy in which we define the work culture of both the fleet and the people serving it.

2. Eco driving - operational level

Here is where you look at how to get from point A to point B as efficiently and safely as possible. You must consider the following: length of the route, traffic volume, type of terrain and asphalt, number of turns and crossings. Which way is best for that vehicle? Does the route have narrow roads or go through the city? Choosing the optimal route is no easy feat – that’s where fleet management software comes in handy.

3. Eco driving - tactical level

When you have a strategy and know the best route, then you can take effective actions to improve driver performance and implement eco safe driving. Encourage appropriate driving behaviour such as avoiding acceleration, harsh braking or idling. It also means ensuring regular maintenance checks to keep your vehicle in top condition. Fleet management software can help you achieve all of this.

Eco driving software

Webfleet gives both fleet managers and drivers clear, detailed driving behaviour reports. Everyone is empowered to act, before, during and after each trip, encouraging greener and safer driving. Get real-time and historical insight into your fleet's fuel consumption and emissions. With Webfleet vehicle maintenance, you’ll be notified if a vehicle has diagnostic troubles. And you can plan maintenance tasks based on real-time mileage information. OptiDrive 360 helps you monitor your drivers and provide real-time feedback and coaching.

To learn more about eco safe driving, visit our green and safe driving page.