Tools for an efficient car fleet

Green Drivers

If a hybrid car doesn’t suit, Tthere are cheaper ways to make your fleet green. “We don’t need to go to the extreme of buying a highly environmental vehicle, but maybe one with low fuel consumption,” says Malcolm.

Diesel vehicles are becoming popular because they use less fuel and have a lower operating cost, which savesing your fleets money, and producesing a smaller environmental footprint. But Malcolm says even that’ is one of the last options, and should only to be looked at when it is  comes time to replace the vehicles.

“The first product we should all be looking at is the way we drive,” he says, explaining that backing off the accelerator, and breaking softly, reduces fuel consumption. “The benefit we’re going to get from less fuel consumption is going to save the business money, create less wear and tear on the vehicle, and it will potentially reduce the number of crashes we have because we’re not hooning around so much, and the environment wins.” Malcolm

Some bad driving habits are deeply embedded, so driver training can be a good option to make a change. “It’s not about rushing in and training all of your drivers, it’s about identifying when there is a need to do training,” explains Malcolm. This could be because a specific driver is consuming excess fuel, or racking up an accident history, or just to make sure your drivers have the tips needed to make the most out of new technology in vehicles. explains

Driver training can be given in a class format or out at driver training locations. And it is also an effective way to ensure your fleet is safer. “They train people so they don’t get into a situation,” says Malcolm. “The workforce is extended into the vehicle, so they need to cover that as well.”

Checking tyre pressure also makes a big difference;  but it is often ignored. An incorrectly filled tyre can cause handling problems, premature wear on the tyre, and increased fuel consumption.

Issuing tyre pressure gauges is one solution, but an inexpensive approach is getting drivers into the habit of checking the tyres and water once a week, when they fill up at the service station.

The very last option is carbon offsetting, but it should only be looked at once all other prevention and reduction methods are exhausted.  

Card Systems

More and more fleet managers are issuing fuel cards to their fleets. “It is a device to make sure you control the cost of your fleet,” says Carl Clump, CEO of Retail Decisions (ReD) CEO. Clump believes the cards are more reliable than cash or a general-purpose credit card because product purchases can be limited to just fuel, or can be extended to oil, vehicle service, even accommodation and taxi fares.

Fuel card statements are ATO approved, and can be used for reclaiming GST, ultimately saving you time and money.

The handy little cards also help fleet managers keep an eye on their fleet. “They will have a consolidated statement sent to the fleet manager of the company by us, which accounts for the products they’ve purchased,” says Clump. “From that information you can see how efficiently your fleet is operating, so you can isolate the vehicle or a driver who may be more costly than the other vehicles or drivers in your fleet.” The single statement also reduces administration costs, adds Clump.

ReD offers two fuel card options: Motorpass and Motorcharge. Both are multi-branded cards, and can be used at most service stations. The benefit of a multi-branded card is you don’t have to waste more fuel driving around to find a specific service station. Most fuel cards don’t charge interest on purchases either.