Fuel costs can account for over a third of a fleet’s total operating expenses. Even a slight improvement in operations can yield significant savings. In this article, Shell examines fuel-saving strategies to enhance operational efficiency and increase overall business profitability.
Limit top speed
Air resistance, or aerodynamic drag, increases with the square of velocity. This means that doubling your vehicle’s speed results in four times the air resistance. At highway speeds, pushing air accounts for about 40% of a vehicle’s energy expenditure. Consequently, driving faster requires disproportionately more energy, leading to decreased fuel efficiency.
Smooth acceleration, steady cruising, and minimal braking not only curb fuel consumption but also extend tyre and brake life.
Keep RPM low
Shifting gears at the correct revolutions per minute (RPM) are crucial for achieving a balance between fuel efficiency and performance. A fuel-efficient driver attempts to minimise high engine speeds and shifts smoothly through the gears as the vehicle’s speed increases, ensuring the truck always operates in the highest reasonable gear.
Optimise route planning
Optimising your driving route can significantly enhance fuel efficiency, especially for long-haul journeys. Climbing steep inclines requires more engine power, resulting in higher fuel consumption. Choosing routes with gentler slopes or flatter terrain can reduce this strain and improve fuel efficiency. Maintaining a steady speed on long, straight roads allow the engine to operate more efficiently. Minimising stops and starts reduces the need for acceleration, which is when engines consume the most fuel.
Minimise idling
Idling can cost fleet companies up to several thousand rands/dollars in fuel per vehicle annually. Freight vehicles idle for hours daily due to traffic congestion, delivery stops, rest periods, and other reasons. Drivers play a key role in reducing idling time. By educating them on the fuel costs of idling and setting clear guidelines for when it’s necessary, noticeable improvements can be achieved. Additionally, technology that shuts off the engine after a set period of idling can further enhance fuel savings.
Select the right lubricants
At a time when driving efficiencies and reducing costs are critical for many fleets, choosing a weak-performing, generic lubricant can create significant risks, costs and problems in the long run. For fleet operators, the most obvious advantage of optimal lubrication is improved fuel efficiency.
The benefits of high-quality lubricants include improving component life, reducing vehicle downtime, increasing oil drain intervals and preserving the engine’s cleanliness. All of these are costs that fleet businesses must deal with – and all of these costs can be reduced with the right lubricant and proper lubrication practices.
Keep tyres properly inflated
An often-overlooked factor which significantly affects fuel economy is tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, causing the engine to consume more fuel to maintain speed. Studies have shown that a 10% decrease in tyre pressure can result in a 2% increase in fuel consumption. Temperature changes can impact tyre pressure, causing it to drop in cold weather and rise in warm conditions. Adjusting tyre pressure with the seasons helps ensure optimal performance and better fuel efficiency.
Conclusion
When these factors are consistently managed across a fleet, the result is both a significant environmental impact and financial return. A small percentage of fuel saving on a single truck can mean thousands of litres saved each year. Multiply that across an entire fleet, and the environmental and money savings are massive.
Explore our solutions at www.shell.co.za
#ShellLeadingTheWayForward.
