The thought of future fuel prices in South Africa has left many South Africans feeling concerned and anxious about how this will impact their lives. It is being said that the price of petrol and diesel in our country will rise to three times higher than the previous fuel increase.
More than ever, fleet managers need to abide by fuel consumption policies. There are many tips and tricks to help you and your fleet save fuel.
To start, you should avoid aggressive driving. Harsh acceleration and braking should be avoided as far as possible, instead, you should try and apply moderate and steady speeds as this will help save fuel.
Carpools are becoming increasingly popular as a result of fuel price increases. Fleet managers should implement policies such as allowing drivers to take the company vehicles home if it is along their route at the end of the day, as this will aid in avoiding unnecessary trips to the office and wasting unnecessary fuel usage. If your drivers receive car allowances, it is a good idea to encourage them to choose wisely, such as opting for more fuel-efficient car models instead of vehicles that are heavy on fuel.
Although there is a standard price charged for petrol, diesel can be sold at lower prices. You should encourage your drivers to use the fuel stations that charge lower prices for diesel, even if you only save a few Rand at the end of the day, it all adds up.
Route optimisation is key. There is various software available that will assist you and your drivers in selecting the most direct routes and will help avoid traffic and minimize idling throughout the day. Fleet managers should incorporate a company culture that prioritizes reduced fuel consumption. You should stay up to date with the newest and latest fuel-saving technology and make use of these options as far as possible.
Telematics offers great solutions for fuel-saving and optimizing fuel efficiency. Along with this, you can use gamification to score your drivers and pull up reports to reward those who are being fuel-efficient and more fuel-conscious. At the end of the day, the only way your drivers will reduce fuel consumption is through your guidance and by you providing them with the correct tools to do so.
