Tips on using telematics to reduce fuel costs

Fleets have been faced with a whole array of challenges during the pandemic. For many, their supply chains will have been disrupted and they'll also be dealing with the rising cost of fuel.

In the UK, the price of petrol and diesel has increased dramatically over the past few months. Currently the average cost of a litre of unleaded petrol is £1.61 and for diesel, it's even higher at £1.76* - with no sign of this spike slowing down. And, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil, the EU benchmark, has risen by 53% so far this year, pushing fuel prices to record highs in most European countries.

Therefore, it’s imperative now more than ever that owners, operators and fleet managers find ways to save money while increasing productivity.

The good news is, technology can help them save fuel and cut costs by analysing drivers’ behaviours, purchasing options, routes/ maintenance and proposing long-term efficiency solutions.

How to use telematics to monitor fuel expenditures

Fleet management technology can help organisations keep tabs on key factors that impact operations, including fuel use. Reviewing GPS and fuel transaction information together enables fleets to identify patterns for improving efficiency and preventing misuse.

Here are some of the areas that fleets can monitor:

• Fuel card integration. Take control of fuel card costs with seamless fuel card integration, powerful reporting tools and near real-time fuel data.

• Fuel card reporting data. View fuel transaction history by vehicle to monitor fuel expenses and compare fuel purchases among vehicles.

• Fuel theft and card abuse. Detect fuel card fraud by viewing incidents where card purchases exceeded a vehicle’s tank capacity, or by identifying when a vehicle was not at a pump when fuel was purchased.

• Fuel usage. Monitor the CO2 emissions and fuel usage of each vehicle to decrease your environmental impact and increase cost savings.

Monitor other factors impacting fuel economy

Fleet management technology can also provide insights into driving behaviours and vehicle functions that have a direct link to fuel efficiency.

• Speed: The faster a driver goes, the more it costs per litre. Monitor when drivers are exceeding set speed limits and use that information as part of driver training.

• Idling: Idling wastes fuel. Receive alerts when a vehicle is idling for too long and use this information to encourage drivers to reduce idle times.

• Routing: Shorter routes increase fuel efficiency. Dispatchers can monitor traffic patterns so they can tell drivers the most direct route or send the closest driver to a particular job.

• Maintenance: Regular maintenance can lower fuel costs over time.

Get alerts when vehicles are due for maintenance based on date, mileage and other factors.

Download 'The Five Best Ways to Reduce Fuel Costs' eBook for more tips on increasing fleet fuel efficiency.

Ready to see for yourself how a telematics solution from Verizon Connect can help your fleet control fuel costs? Request a demo when it’s convenient for you.

* Prices true as of 5th April 2022.