How to enhance your truck fleet fuel economy
Research shows that the US Trucking industry spends approximately $105 billion on diesel fuel annually, representing the second biggest expense motor carriers face, after labor costs, which accounts for as much as 20% of total operating costs! This is a good representation for fleets across the globe where fuel is one of the largest operation expenses.
For every fleet manager looking to cut costs, saving on fuel is essential.
Here are some tips that they need to follow in order to save up to around 30% on fuel costs and potentially increase from an average 6MPG to 8.5MPG per vehicle.
Avoid Speeding
Did you know that more than any other driving habit, excessive speeding burns the most fuel?
For instance, it has been found that a truck driving 75 mph consumes 27% more fuel than one driving 65 mph, so capping truck speed at 65 mph would cause net the trucking industry saving another 2.8 billion gallons of diesel fuel over ten years.
Steer clear of Aggressive Driving
Did you know that research has shown that fuel economy in light-duty gasoline vehicles could be improved by between 15% and 30% when at highway speeds, simply by curbing aggressive driving? So, the key takeaway is clear: aggressive driving is one of the biggest fuel-burning practices out there.
Reduce Idling
Did you know that idling a heavy-duty truck burns around 0.8 gallons of fuel each hour? Moreover, idling adds up fast, particularly when truckers idle at rest stops for hours on end — indeed, according to one estimate, rest stop idling burns around 1.1 billion gallons of fuel every year, while also increasing total emissions, as well as engine wear — leading to extra maintenance costs down the line.
Remain Tuned Up
For vehicles that are out of tune or have failed an emissions test, getting the engine tuned up might boost your fuel economy. In short, keep your vehicle well-maintained to keep it running at an optimum level.
Remember to keep tires inflated
Under-inflated tires can prove detrimental to an engine’s fuel economy since the vehicle burns more gas to compensate.
Ditch Extra Weight
Did you know that a Canadian report states that a truck that reduces its weight by 110 pounds would save $490 in fuel across 124,274 miles? Well, this doesn’t mean that one needs to ship empty trailers, but even just trimming 20 pounds off the truck’s total can add up, albeit slowly.
Be more efficient
Inefficiency is among the biggest problems facing fleet managers today. Did you know you can generate 20–30% more capacity just by running the whole system more efficiently? So, the key takeaway is to use automated systems to find out the most efficient path.
Lastly use the Caltex Delo fuel Economy Calculator
Caltex Delo is committed to delivering durability and fuel efficiency for your fleet. What’s more, maintaining fuel economy without sacrificing engine protection helps you save money, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Check out how much the Caltex Delo Fuel Economy oil range can help save you money. Use the calculator to compute your annual estimate savings.
