Madison Genthry 
Owning a business with a fleet that’s constantly growing comes with its challenges — managing the operations, the fuel costs, and the schedules. It becomes all the more difficult to streamline this mammoth of machinery into a system that’s cost-effective and efficient. But with some know-how, one can control costs and boost operations.
Fuel Efficiency: A Simple Cost-Saver
Fuel, being the dominant cost center of any fleet, with its ever-fluctuating prices, can be brought under control through a few cost-effective techniques. A minute saving in fuel consumption or an improvement will mirror the bottom line of the fleet budget.
Giving tires their due credit is crucial to fuel efficiency. Properly inflating tires can save 3% of fuel. Now, 3% might sound like a small number for a single vehicle, but for the whole fleet, it can translate to savings in significant numbers. Some companies have gone further in their eco-efforts by introducing hybrid or electric vehicles to save on fuel costs.
Optimizing Routes
Optimizing routes can also save you a boatload of money, all while improving the overall efficiency of your operation.
Plotting the shortest routes keps your drivers on the road for shorter, burning less fuel. Intelligent route planning software can help ensure you’re always getting from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. Some even use real time traffic information to make sure you’re avoiding construction zones and getting to the final destination sooner.
Embracing Technology
The right technology can make a difference to your entire business operations. Beyond the software you use, employing a fleet tracking system can help you gain insight into what’s happening in real time with your fleet. Employing Radius’ fleet tracking solutions is a smart way to cut down on unnecessary fuel consumption. This tool gives you data that will help you reduce speed and optimise routing while making sure your drivers are doing their best work.
Engaging Drivers
The way your drivers hit the road has a lot to do with just how long you’re going to have to turn that profit.
Train your drivers to always keep your bottom line top-of-mind by helping them learn how to reach it honestly — and safely. With programs focused on defensive driving, you help minimize the risk your drivers take on the road and in turn, will help extend the overall life of your vehicle.
Leveraging Data for Informed Decisions
Through data analytics, fleet managers can ascertain realtime information on the consumption of fuel, maintenance needs, and driver performance. These key measurements allow companies to identify any areas of inefficiency, and then they can rectify this to save money.
Running a fleet can be complex, but focusing on fuel consumption, the best possible route to take using tech like fleet tracking solutions, and outsourcing to large fleet maintainers for regular checkups can save you a hell of a lot of money in the long term.
