Fleet Fuel Management and Idling

What idling costs

An idling engine burns fuel while moving nowhere. Across a fleet, drivers leaving engines running while loading, waiting or taking calls adds up to a large share of the fuel bill, and extra engine hours bring services forward. A telematics system reports idle time per vehicle and per driver.

How fuel management systems work

• Fuel cards record each fill-up.
• Telematics records distance, idling and driving style, and can read fuel data from the CAN bus.
• Probes and sensors in large tanks detect fuel theft.
• Reports compare litres per 100 km between vehicles and drivers.

Ten ways to improve fuel efficiency

1. Set an idling policy and measure it.
2. Coach drivers on smooth acceleration and braking.
3. Enforce speed limits.
4. Plan routes to avoid congestion.
5. Keep tyres at the right pressure.
6. Service vehicles on time.
7. Remove unnecessary weight.
8. Match vehicles to jobs.
9. Reconcile fuel cards with tracking data.
10. Reward the most efficient drivers.

Fuel prices

See this month’s official petrol and diesel prices, and fuel-saving tips for private drivers.