Trucks, both leisure and commercial, can burn through a lot of fuel. In industries that rely on commercial trucks to make their deliveries, the cost of fuel consumption can add up fast. So, what can a company do to bring down the price of that hefty bill? Check out these top ways to reduce fuel consumption in trucks.
Revamp Your Routing
One simple way to ensure your fuel costs are maximized is GPS location tracking. This allows your managers to monitor any vehicle in your fleet in real time. The benefit is twofold. On the minor side, you can make sure each truck is sticking to their route. The major benefit is the ability to revamp your routing.
A GPS system helps managers find better routes for their fleets, saving time and valuable fuel. Combine this with weather-tracking software and you can re-route trucks to avoid adverse conditions that would otherwise slow them down. If you have a handful of trucks on the road, it’s even possible to shift deliveries to the driver nearest to the destination.
Invest in Your Drivers
Quality drivers are essential to the commercial trucking industry. While you can’t always avoid mishaps and should always have legal aid at the ready, like this California truck accident lawyer, investing in regular training can help companies save thousands. It can also help with fuel consumption, though.
Traveling above 55 mph decreases fuel economy. At 65 mph, a single truck is losing one mile per gallon during their trip. Now add all of those miles up and consider the fuel wasted. Part of their training should include monitoring their speed to reduce fuel consumption as well as ensure safety on the road.
Crack Down on Idling
Engines burn fuel while idling, but it’s impossible to eliminate this part of driving altogether. Heading back to the GPS and weather tracking software, you can help create routes that limit this end of fuel consumption.
Add in a telematics program and you can also track idling costs, which is something most companies simply don’t do. Knowing how much fuel, and the cost the comes with it, gets eaten by a stalled truck can help you figure out ways to eliminate your hefty fuel bill.
Don’t Neglect the Tires
Did you know that underinflation creates a drastic impact on fuel consumption? A partially underinflated tire can decrease a truck’s mileage by up to ten percent, which can really drive up your fuel cost. Training your drivers to conduct regular tire pressure checks can help you save thousands depending on the size of your fleet.
Regular Maintenance is Key
Finally, you want to keep up on your fleet’s maintenance. The better a truck is maintained, the more all of its parts combine to decrease fuel consumption. While maintenance can be costly, the investment will pay off in the long run as you see your gas costs decrease. Stay on top of this critical component by automating your service schedule, ensuring each truck is in tip-top shape.