Changing driver’s habits are instant quick fixes that can have dramatic results, says Gilbert.
“Emailing drivers to remind them not to fill up at the most expensive outlet or with the most expensive fuel can have a major impact. When drivers know they are being watched they change their habits quickly.”
She also advises introducing a policy on the use of air conditioning – don’t allow its use when the vehicle is stationary - and advising drivers never to ‘distress purchase’ fuel but to top up when they pass a cheap outlet.
Supermarkets are still the cheapest places to fill up and motorways the most expensive.
Also use fuel card data to identify drivers who are not achieving acceptable mpg levels. “But use the carrot rather than stick approach to change their behaviour.”
However, not everyone taking part in the Fleet News poll is convinced in the use of fuel cards.
One respondent who does not use fuel cards and instead uses a pay-and-reclaim system, said the main advantages of this system are “that some drivers give us extended credit, some mileage doesn't cost us anything as there is a three-month time limit on mileage claims, and we don't pay for heavy right feet as we use a fixed mpg.”
Fleets should also be considering telematics as a way to manage fuel.
Telematics provider, Trimble, said businesses are “squandering millions of litres of petrol” because employees don’t drive company vehicles efficiently.
According to its survey, poor driving technique, inaccurate fuel gauges and bad record keeping are all contributing to fleets being unaware of their fuel usage.
Its research found fuel prices are the biggest challenge facing fleet managers today. The drive to make business more fuel efficient is forcing fleet managers to take a long hard look at their vehicles and driver behaviour.
“As fuel prices rise, understanding where fuel is being used the most or unnecessarily wasted is crucial for businesses,” says Andrew Yeoman, MD of Trimble MRM.
To calculate your company fleet fuel costs, use the Fleet News fuel cost calculator.
adamrollins - 06/09/2010 14:59
Implementing a fuel card in conjunction with a mileage management system is the best way to maximise efficient fuel purchase. Mileage can be attributed to business and private use on a mile for mile basis. This means that the company pays actual pence per mile for business usage, and can choose to deduct the same from the driver to make good the private mileage (alternatively AFR or other rates can be applied). The heavy right foot syndrome can be managed on an individual driver basis, but if the driver has to pay for actual fuel usage, this encourages more efficient driving and fuel purchasing anyway through the impact on the private mileage deductions the driver pays. Actual mpg achieved by the driver can be monitored, with incentives for best performing drivers. Efficiency gains from mileage management are long term, predictable and controlled and far outweigh sporadic savings such as drivers who fail to make expense claims, which will surely become less common as fuel inflation continues to impact all of us. Adam Rollins, Business Development Managager, MIDAS FMS. www.midas-fms.com