Managing the behavior of fleet drivers and the protocol that should be followed when using fleet vehicles is an extremely important job. When dealing with fleets that consist of hundreds, possibly even thousands of vehicles, relatively small changes can have mammoth impacts on the fleet as a whole.

1. How Can Fleet Drivers Use Less Fuel?
Managing the behavior of fleet drivers and the protocol that
should be followed when using fleet vehicles is an extremely
important job. When dealing with fleets that consist of
hundreds, possibly even thousands of vehicles, relatively small
changes can have mammoth impacts on the fleet as a whole.
It’s important to realize that fleet-wide decisions are
compounded by how many vehicles are in your fleet. So, how
can you use this in order to help your fleet use less fuel? Gas
and diesel prices continue to rise and not making the needed
changes in your fleet can result in increased expenses. So what
can you do to lower fleet fuel costs?
Modify Driver Behavior
Drivers often don’t realize how much of a difference their driving style makes in regards to fuel
consumption. Encourage your fleet drivers to monitor traffic ahead in order to minimize gear changes,
while also properly using their cruise control to best use their fuel. It’s a good idea to hold courses on
driving with a fuel-conscious attitude and possibly even create an incentive program for drivers who
complete their assignments with an acceptable amount of fuel. No matter what decisions fleet
managers make, it is the drivers who will make the most difference, so make sure they are aware of this
and properly motivated to conserve fuel as much as possible.
Set Rules and Guidelines
While getting your drivers on board with your fuel-saving policies is one thing, you should also set rules
and regulations regarding driving and fuel use. For instance, determining the grade and brand of fuel
that is most cost-effective for your vehicles will help you save money in the long run. You might also
want to consider controlling the dates and times of fuel purchases. For instance, fuel purchased outside
of regular driving hours can often be a sign of abuse or waste. Also make sure to address the
maintenance of your fleet vehicles. Establishing conservative mileage limits between checkups can help
you reduce wasted fuel. For example, maintaining clean diesel particulate filters can greatly increase
the mileage of your fleet vehicles.
Use Hybrid Vehicles
Replacing your entire fleet with new
vehicles is usually not an option, but it can
often be a good idea to begin switching
out older vehicles with hybrids. While the
exact amount of savings should be
calculated to ensure that this switch will

2. save you money in the long run, it is a well-known fact that hybrid vehicles use less fuel. Although it
might take a while to fully implement, it is worth checking out.
Cutting fuel costs while maintaining a fully-functioning fleet of vehicles can be a challenge, but using
these tips can help you do both.
Photo Credit: sherylobryan.com, Farm4