Fuel costs are one of the largest and least dependable parts of your fleet budget. Prices and usage are always changing, so you have to do everything you can to minimize your fuel spend.

Though you are responsible for your fleet’s budget, your drivers typically determine the prices you pay. Since they are the ones filling up on the road, the choices they make are critical to your costs.

In this blog, we’re giving you three ways to involve your drivers in your fuel savings. Use these tips to reduce your fuel costs and optimize your fleet budget.

3 Ways Drivers Can Reduce Fleet Fuel Costs

1. Fuel wisely

It’s a lot harder to care about fuel prices when you’re not the one paying the bill. For many drivers, the first gas station is the best choice, no matter the price. To ensure you aren’t paying unnecessarily high prices, give your drivers a reason to care.

Incentive programs, for example, give drivers a stake in their decisions. You can offer tempting rewards for drivers who keep costs low, using positive feedback to see results. 

If you have a telematics solution, you can include the best fuel options for every route. Drivers can then plan and anticipate upcoming stops. Rather than pulling into the nearest station, they can plan ahead to optimize their options.

2. Drive intentionally

We often focus on driving safe, but danger isn’t the only consequence of bad driving. Harsh acceleration and braking, for instance, significantly increase fuel consumption. If your drivers tend to speed, this is another way they’re increasing fuel costs. Aggressive driving is another common fuel waster. Drivers who speed around other cars, especially when approaching a stop, are burning money with every acceleration. 

But driving isn’t the only way to waste fuel in the driver’s seat. Frequent or extended periods of idling also use higher amounts of fuel. 

Minimize these fuel wasting activities with both driver training and a reliable telematics solution. Teach drivers how to drive with fuel efficiency in mind. Use your telematics to alert drivers when their driving doesn’t meet company standards. Make every driver an active force in your fuel-saving efforts.

3. Maintain vehicle efficiency

Fuel consumption can increase by 0.5% to 1% when just one tire is underinflated by 10 PSI. Though general vehicle upkeep is your responsibility, encourage drivers to watch for warning signs. Drivers should check often for slightly flat tires, weird engine sounds, or other problems. Rather than waiting for an issue to worsen, you can stay on top of your maintenance. Vehicles in top shape always use less fuel than those with issues, so a little more attention can go a long way.

Tired of maximizing your fuel budget? Explore our telematics solutions to find the option that can help you save.