Managing a fleet is no easy task, and each enterprise has its own regulations and needs. Even so, nearly every fleet could utilize a policy overhaul to save money and improve performance. Below are a few tips for decreasing operational costs and easing up on how much you pay for fleet transportation. Additionally, these ideas can help your company cut emissions and fuel consumption, a bonus for reducing your carbon footprint. Follow these fleet management tips for reducing operational costs.
Cut Down on Fleet Size
This may or may not be possible for you, but if it is, it’s a great way to reduce operational costs. After all, the cost of maintaining medium-duty trucks averages around $10,000 each. While this is not a decision to take lightly, it could be worth looking into. Ensure that the costs of the increased workload on the remaining vehicles are less than the overall cost of maintaining your current number of vehicles.
Implement Idle Reduction Technology
Technological advancements are changing the ways commercial and governmental entities reduce operational costs. For example, idle reduction technology, such as EPEQ® Idle Management (EPEQ® IM) by Vanair®, a Lincoln Electric Company, can automatically turn your fleet vehicles off if they have been idling for a specified amount of time. This is beneficial for fleets, because it removes human error or forgetfulness, drastically reduces emissions, costs, and engine wear, and keeps track of your idle reductions through a data platform.
Be More Practical on Your Route
Another tactic you can try is evaluating your fleet management and determining if there are any areas where routes could be improved and pragmatically cutting fuel consumption and mileage. It is also recommended to check if there are any unnecessary trips that you can cut from the schedule or add to another vehicle’s route.
Manage and Lower Fuel Consumption
The fleet management team can also identify ways to use fuel more efficiently for lower transportation and operational costs. This could include investing in technologies that reduce fuel use and idling, such as EPEQ® IM, as well as ways to lighten vehicles throughout the fleet.
Prolong the Life of Your Fleet Vehicles
Some managers may attempt to run their vehicles well past their service life, while others want to purchase replacements quite often. While each industry and enterprise has its own needs, it is worth ensuring ways to prolong the life of your fleet vehicles. It takes some research, but if you can figure out the best times to replace trucks, as well as the costs for maintenance and repairs, you may find a way to cut down on operational costs.
Instruct Drivers to Make Changes
Finally, each of your drivers can do their part to cut costs and emissions within the company. Talk to them about easing up on excessive acceleration, avoid quickly braking, and point out how heavy air conditioning use can contribute to greater costs. Something as basic as switching up their driving habits could translate into more savings and greater vehicle efficiency by reducing repairs and replacements.
