High prices. It can be difficult to control your fuel expenses when you can't predict how gas prices will respond to global trends. High gas prices have been a significant problem in the wake of the pandemic and the energy crisis resulting from the conflict in Ukraine, so some fleets have struggled to keep up with ever-rising fuel costs.
Local availability. Much of the price of fuel depends incredibly on what is available in your area. If your fleet is based in a more rural area, you may not have the same access as other companies to competitive prices from different suppliers.
Driving habits. Driver behavior can have a big impact on fuel economy. Little things, like idling and not optimizing routes, can add up over time and cause significant losses in your fuel mileage.
Maintenance issues. If your vehicles aren't in tip-top shape, they can cost you fuel due to mechanical issues. Whether due to age or a general state of disrepair, something that isn't fully developed under the hood can turn into a real gas guzzler.
Fuel theft. It's entirely possible that poor fuel card practices could cause your fuel bill to spike every quarter. If you don't track your fuel purchases closely, you could end up inadvertently paying the bill for fuel that isn't used for your fleet operations.
The easiest way to offset excess fuel is to find ways to reduce costs without compromising your operations. Here are some of the best ways to reduce fuel costs without sacrificing efficiency:
Find ways to make fuel purchases more predictable. For some fleets, purchasing fuel in bulk can be a great way to create some level of standardization in their fuel purchases. When you work with a third-party supplier, your fuel will be delivered to you on a recurring basis at a fixed price, meaning you won't have to deal with any variability at the pump.
If buying in bulk isn't an option for you, you can at least standardize where you buy your fuel. Consider the stations in your area and on your fleet's routes and evaluate which ones tend to consistently have the best prices. You can even take advantage of some suppliers' loyalty programs.
Invest in a fuel card. Fleet fuel cards can give you a lot of insight into fuel purchases that receipts alone won't give you. You'll be able to see exactly how much is spent at the pump, when it's spent, making it much easier to track possible fuel theft or simply poor fueling practices. Many fuel cards can even be synced with other fleet management software, allowing you to not only track how much you spend on fuel, but also see how it relates to your total cost of ownership and usage data.
Analyze driver behavior with telematics. To meet your fuel budget, it is essential to ensure that your drivers are working in a way that maximizes fuel efficiency instead of compromising it. Telematics devices are synonymous with fleet management today, and you can use the data you get from these devices to track routes, idling, stopping times, and other data points that can show you if drivers are making decisions that could impact fuel consumption.
Stay on top of inspections and preventative maintenance. The best way to ensure fuel efficiency is to make sure your assets are operating properly, and the best way to do this is through daily vehicle inspections and regular preventative maintenance. Inspections allow you to anticipate potential problems as soon as they are noticed by drivers, and a robust preventative maintenance program helps keep vehicles within manufacturer guidelines to maximize fuel efficiency.
