With the ongoing high cost of both petrol and diesel in many parts of the country, businesses across the UK could possibly benefit from a refresher on how to improve the fuel efficiency of their fleets.

Carrying out a few simple steps on the part of both fleet managers and drivers can have a considerable impact on overall expenses for businesses – an issue that is especially important in today's fragile and challenging economic climate.

Advice for firms

Regular servicing for all vehicles plays an important part in fuel efficiency drives, as this ensures engines are working at their optimal efficiency, while these examinations will also flag up key areas that can have a major impact on fuel consumption, such as tyres.

Under-inflated tyres can result in a considerable loss in fuel efficiency, as the vehicle has to overcome greater resistance against the road surface to keep moving.

Furthermore, badly worn tyres can not only reduce efficiency but also present a considerable risk to driver safety through less responsive handling and an increased risk of high-speed blowouts.

Ensuring fuel efficiency is a top priority when purchasing new additions to a fleet will also pay dividends for businesses over the long-term, helping to keep their petrol and diesel costs as low as they can be.

Meanwhile, managing the routes of fleet drivers to combine short trips within a close proximity will have a considerable impact on improving group fuel efficiency, while the installation of vehicle telematics can also play a crucial role in more efficient fleets.

This technology can help to highlight drivers who may be less fuel-efficient than their colleagues, as well as revealing routes where fuel usage is increased due to issues like congestion or steep inclines – allowing firms to alter suggested directions for drivers in the future.

Finally, companies should be aiming to provide training to all vehicle users on the most economical driving techniques, as this will pay dividends in the long run in terms of reducing overall fuel usage across a business.

Advice for drivers

Ultimately, the day-to-day implementation of fuel efficiency goals will fall to those entrusted with the vehicles and this means drivers need to be trained in the most efficient methods of getting from A to B.

Research published by the AA in collaboration with motoring publication Auto Express revealed motorists could reduce their weekly fuel bills by between ten and 33 per cent through the use of some simple techniques.

These include maintaining a steady speed in as high a gear as possible to reduce fuel consumption, as excessive braking and acceleration will cause the engine to work harder and use more fuel.

With this in mind, it is also important for drivers to anticipate road conditions ahead of them, as a smoother driving style has been shown to play a significant part in boosting average fuel consumption.

This means looking ahead and planning accordingly, allowing engine braking to slow the vehicle. As in most modern cars, engines will use virtually no fuel when the accelerator is lifted. It is also a more gentle form of braking for the vehicle's occupants.

Moreover, advising fleet users to cut their speed can be a successful practice in cutting fuel costs.

For most cars, the most efficient speed in terms of fuel consumption is between 45 to 50 mph. Indeed, reducing speed from 70 to 50 mph can result in a ten per cent improvement in fuel consumption on average.

Meanwhile, the use of air conditioning should be avoided when possible, as the engine has to work harder when this system is active to provide the additional power needed.

Finally, it is important drivers remove excessive weight from their vehicle and do not install items like roof racks or boxes that can have a considerable impact on aerodynamics when driving.

All of these issues can have a bearing on the amount of fuel being used by businesses when combined across entire fleets. As a result, paying close attention to safe and efficient driving should be a key aim of all fleet managers.

Did you know you don't have to pay pump prices for your diesel and petrol?

Contact Jennifer Yates of The Fuelcard People today, she can help you find the best fuel card for you and your business, to avoid pump prices in future.

The Shell fuel card for example might be the right one to help you start saving now.

Posted by Jennifer Yates, Account Manager, The Fuelcard People.