5 driving techniques that save fuel

As the owner or manager of a transport fleet, you tend to keep an eye on fuel costs. Fuel has always been one of the highest operating costs for fleets, a fact underscored by rising prices in recent years. Studies show that fuel represents up to 38% of a fleet’s total cost of ownership.

Although fleet owners and managers do not influence prices at the pump, they can gain better control of how their fleets use fuel. Driving behavior is one of the areas that owners and fleet managers should evaluate in-depth, as it can be a game-changer when it comes to saving fuel.

Below are the five most effective driving techniques to save fuel. And since fuel-saving success ultimately depends on driver participation, we also offer ways to empower your drivers to adopt these fuel-saving techniques.

Truck Fueling

Which driving techniques save fuel?

  1. Cruise control
    Changing the driving speed frequently increases fuel consumption. Using cruise control, on the other hand, can save 5-10% on fuel. By activating cruise control as often as possible, your drivers can maintain a constant speed and avoid wasting fuel. Cruise control is best suited for driving on motorways, where road conditions and speed limits are relatively predictable and constant.
  2. Reduce driving speed
    The most fuel-efficient speed for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles is between 60 and 80 kilometers per hour (this speed range may vary depending on the vehicle). If you drive faster than 80 km/h, the aerodynamic drag increases, which means that the fuel consumption also increases.
  3. Appropriate gear shifting
    The key to shifting is to avoid over-revving, which is reviving a vehicle’s engine above a normal or acceptable level of revolutions per minute (RPM). Over-revving consumes a lot of fuel. It can also damage a vehicle’s engine. Proper shifting helps keep RPMs at fuel-efficient levels while protecting engine health, which is also necessary to save fuel. A good practice is to upshift early in the acceleration process, around 2000 or 2500 RPM (on the RPM, see the “Advising fuel-efficient driving techniques for your fleet” report from the Department of Transport, available from Energy Saving Trust).
  4. Limited idling
    Many drivers power up their computers and refrigerators by leaving the engine running. It’s common, too, for drivers to idle while they wait for heat or air-conditioning to reach the desired temperature. Drivers should of course enjoy in-cab comfort—that’s central to their well-being on the road. It’s a matter of balance and smart alternatives. As simple actions like parking in the shade and using curtains can help control in-cab temperatures and reduce idling by 20%.
  5. Coasting
    Coasting is releasing the accelerator pedal while leaving the vehicle in gear, gradually decreasing the speed through the engine. No fuel is consumed since no fuel is injected into the engine. Coasting, therefore, saves fuel, with the driver anticipating and responding to circumstances. In approaching congested traffic or pedestrian areas, for example, drivers can release the accelerator and coast. If it isn’t necessary to brake, the driver can then recoup vehicle speed without much acceleration and fuel use.

Truck driver on the road ad

How can I empower drivers to adopt fuel-saving techniques?

Adopting a fuel-saving driving style across your fleet may take some patience but is worth every penny. Strong collaboration with your drivers is essential—they’re the ones behind the wheel. Engaging them through training and showing appreciation for their fuel-saving contributions can be effective.

  • Coaching and training – A performance tool can make a huge difference in empowering your drivers. With our OptiDrive 360, fleet managers can analyse fuel-consumption patterns historically and in real-time. They can also spot trends on an individual driver basis, making it easy to determine which drivers could improve with personalized coaching or even group training around fuel-efficient driving. OptiDrive http://www.webfleet.com/en_gb/webfleet/products/webfleet/features/optidrive360/360 also sends real-time feedback to drivers, enabling them to adjust their driving behavior at the moment.
  • Incentive programs – Showing drivers appreciation can go a long way in encouraging them to practice fuel efficiency on the road. Does your fuel consumption data show that certain drivers are reducing their fuel use? Be sure to acknowledge their efforts. If you have a rewards program for drivers, consider offering gifts or bonuses for those who meet your fuel-saving criteria.
  • Optimized planning – According to information from the TomTom Traffic Index, traffic jams affect 24% of all driving time. This means that each driver is unnecessarily stuck in traffic jams for an average of eight days a year. That adds up to a whole lot of fuel spent on idling. Even the most experienced drivers can’t prevent idling in traffic jams. Help them avoid congested roads with optimized route planning.
  • Regard them as valued stakeholders – Drivers understand the importance of keeping a company viable (they rely on a steady paycheck, after all). Let them know how much fuel-efficient driving matters to the success of the fleet business. Brainstorm about fuel-saving possibilities with them. Since they’re behind the wheel every day, they may have surprising insights about driving behaviors or in-cab power use to share.

Looking for an integrated solution to simplify your driver and fuel management? Learn how Webfleet can help.

 

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