Fuel remains one of the most expensive running costs within the operation of the fleet, even though world oil prices have come down sharply since their peak last year. Average prices at the pumps have actually begun to rise again this year with the latest AA figures showing an average price of 100.6p/litre for diesel and 90.1p/litre for unleaded, a 4p per litre rise in the last month.

However, drivers can play a significant role in cutting company fuel costs simply by altering their driving style, attitude and behaviours, and can make a major contribution to the company bottom line at a time when economic uncertainty and widespread job losses have moved cost-cutting to the top of the corporate agenda.

That’s the view of leading risk management solutions and driver training provider Cardinus Fleet Risk Management which has empirical fleet evidence to support the claim.

For example, in a recent study involving 340 company car drivers in a major organisation, Cardinus Fleet Risk Management was able to demonstrate an 18% improvement in fuel consumption across the fleet, which equated to a fuel cost saving in excess of £100,000 per annum.

Drivers undertook an awareness training course which showed them how to read the road further ahead, to anticipate more in advance and have greater awareness of prevailing road conditions – simple measures but devastatingly effective as the results show.

Before the training took place, drivers in the study achieved an average 45.74mpg over a 37 mile test route. After the training, fuel consumption improved to 54.30 mpg over the same route.

Based on 20,000 business miles per annum and an average 18% improvement in fuel consumption, with a prevailing cost of £4.57 per gallon for diesel, the annual fleet fuel bill would have been reduced from around £680,000 to £572,000 - a six-figure saving and one likely to be music to the ears of most finance directors at the moment!

At the same time, the reduced fuel usage meant that fleet carbon emissions were also cut in line with the cost savings and were a significant contributor to the organisation’s corporate objective of reducing its carbon footprint.

Marcus Noble of Cardinus Fleet Risk Management says “At a time when fuel prices again seem to be rising at the pumps, the single biggest factor in cutting fuel costs for fleet operators is the driver, as this example demonstrates. Effectively changing driver behaviours and altering driving styles is the key to fleets cutting their fuel bills quite dramatically.

“With the higher business mileages that many company drivers typically travel compared to private motorists, the cost savings can be substantial if drivers can be taught to drive with greater awareness,” he said.

“The resultant reduction in carbon emissions is also in line with corporate environmental and carbon footprint reduction policies,” he added.

According to Cardinus Fleet Risk Management, the level of fuel cost savings can be further enhanced by regular mechanical checks, such as ensuring vehicles are correctly maintained and serviced, dirty air filters routinely replaced, and tyre pressures regularly and routinely checked.

“In modern traffic density, a driver can only travel at the speed that the traffic allows him to,” said Marcus Noble. “But the methods we as drivers choose to use within these conditions are very important, and these increased awareness ideas and techniques are never covered in basic learner driver training.

“By applying these techniques, fleets will notice not only major reductions in fuel costs, but savings in maintenance costs through more efficient driving and lower accident rates, not to mention the hidden costs, such as fewer hire vehicles and less vehicle down-time,” he added.

Get Started