Maximising your fleet fuel efficiency

Tyres can make a big difference in the number of miles a driver gets to a tank of fuel. In fact, 20% to 30% of a vehicle’s fuel consumption and 24% of road vehicle CO2 emissions are tyre-related. Make sure your tyres are at the correct pressures;- Under-inflated tyres use excess fuel. If they are filled to the correct PSI they will be more efficient. The tread pattern also has an impact. Small tread features arranged in circumferential rows around the tread typically roll more efficiently. Finally, fuel-efficient tires are usually designed to have stiffer sidewalls. Stiffer sidewalls reduce the amount of heat generated by the tire.

Make your journeys in the most effective and efficient routes possible. Work with your planning teams to find the optimum routes to avoid excess traffic, direct routes, links with customer deliveries and the least amount of excess travel.

Improving driver behaviour, not being so heavy-footed with acceleration, and braking more at the appropriate point and gently will improve your MPG. Think ahead whilst driving, this may allow you to avoid having to stop, using styles such as lifting and coasting coming up to a junction will allow you to continue in an optimum gear. Driving on a motorway, which many of us do, is mindful of speed, not just for safety by the economy, staying between 65-70mph will improve MPG, but there are a number of factors, which determine optimum speed/efficiency. These include wind resistance, rolling resistance, drivetrain friction losses, power accessory drag, engine design and management, transmission type and ratios, weight and more.