Fuel prices are up substantially from a year ago, and no one can say with any degree of certainty when they will come down. Fleets that have already invested in fuel efficiency technologies such as aerodynamic devices, tire pressure monitoring, idle reduction, etc., are feeling less of the sting of these high prices.
I have previously shared tips on ways to save fuel, and now seems like a good time to share them again.
For this blog, I am going to focus on things that cost you mostly time rather than money. When was the last time you reviewed your electronic engine parameters? In our Confidence Report on electronic engine parameters, we organized the parameters into six categories: vehicle speed limits, vehicle configuration information, engine speed limits, idle reduction, driver rewards, and miscellaneous mpg-related parameters. Different manufacturers call these parameters by different names, but adjusting them allows the fleet to customize the truck to meet its specific needs.
Our report found that by optimizing the parameters, fleets can see fuel economy gains of around 0.5 mpg. However, gains can be even higher if the fleet employs drivers with strong driving habits. Fleets that previously have not used parameters to optimize for fuel economy—often because of confusion surrounding terminology—can see fuel economy improvements in the 5% to 8% range. At $5-plus a gallon for diesel, that can add up to some significant savings.
You should also review routing. Are you doing all you can to eliminate wasted miles and empty backhauls? As the old saying goes, “The most expensive thing to ship is air.” That means empty trailers are hurting your bottom line. See if you can make changes to routing to eliminate as many empty miles as possible. Talk to customers to see if they are flexible when it comes to pickup and delivery times. If they are, perhaps you can adjust schedules to make your operation more efficient.
Involve your drivers in your fuel savings efforts. Even with all the technology on today’s trucks, drivers still are a major influence on fuel economy. Look at the mpg numbers that drivers like Henry Albert of Albert Transport and Roberto Sandoval of Mesilla Valley Transportation put up during Run on Less – Messy Middle. These guys and other fuel economy-conscious drivers are regularly seeing double-digit mpg at a time when the national average is 6.9 mpg. Focus on training drivers to drive with fuel economy in mind. Share tips on how they can avoid hard braking, speeding, etc.
Evaluate your preventive maintenance schedules to ensure your trucks are in top condition, focusing particularly on issues such as underinflated tires, which have a huge negative impact on fuel economy.
Obviously, as executive director of a nonprofit that focuses on freight efficiency, I think fleets should always be looking for ways to save fuel. But if you haven’t done it before, with our current high diesel prices, it’s probably a good idea to make some changes today.
