The rise in the price of gasoline is on everyone's lips. The situation affects each driver, but those who notice it most in their pockets are carriers and owners of transport companies. Saving on fuel is a must for them.
With the rise in prices, each heavy vehicle spends an average of 1,500 or 2,000 euros more per month to fill the tank . For both individual carriers and fleet owners, this premium makes it very difficult to provide their services.
Public measures can help alleviate the situation. But they are not enough. Carriers must activate their own formulas to save gasoline and guarantee the survival of the business. Today we want to put our grain of sand with these 4 recommendations.
1. Map of efficient routes
Choosing the optimum route is essential to save on fuel. Any trip must take into account different variables on the route that will influence reducing fuel consumption. Let's see some of them:
- Analyze the traffic situation: If a road is blocked, the delivery time of the goods will increase. Also, the cost of fuel.
- Know and respect the speed limit on the route.
- Assess the conditions and quality of the road . Driving on roads in good condition and, if possible, with a flat route contributes to the maintenance of fleets and lowers the car's consumption of gasoline.
- Avoid areas under construction or where accidents have occurred.
Nowadays, controlling these basic aspects to reduce gasoline consumption and improve efficiency is possible thanks to new technologies. Vonzu 's software , for example, has a route optimization tool that automatically assigns shipments and routes to drivers based on preselected variables and available resources.
2. Vehicle maintenance
Vehicle care is essential to provide distribution services in the best conditions. But not only that. Performing basic maintenance tasks that optimize performance also makes it easier to save on fuel.
If you follow these recommendations, you will keep your fleet in good condition while reducing fuel consumption:
- Check the tire pressure : The tires lose pressure over time and the more deflated they are, the more resistance the vehicles will generate when rolling on the asphalt, which forces the engine and increases fuel consumption.
- Clean the filters and check the parts : Harmful particles in the air deteriorate vehicles and increase fuel consumption
- Avoid unnecessary charging . The more weight, the more fuel consumption is generated. The ideal is to transport only the merchandise and the essential elements for the journey on the road.
- Change the oil and lubricant periodically . In this way, you will ensure that the engine does not accumulate dirt and the friction between the internal parts increases. If you do, you'll also be able to lower your gas mileage.
3. Switch to hybrid vehicles
The current situation may be the spearhead that encourages you to renew your fleet gradually incorporating hybrid vehicles that, in addition to reducing emissions that are harmful to the environment, will help save on fuel.
Hybrids are a bet for the future, combining an electric motor with a fossil fuel one . You can spend up to 30% less gasoline than with a conventional means of transport.
It is clear that, in the short term, acquiring new vehicles for the transport of goods represents a considerable investment. But, in the medium and long term, it will improve your productivity and increase the efficiency of your logistics company.
4. Driving behavior
Among the tips to save gasoline can not miss one that takes into account the human component. And it is that certain driving habits also have a considerable importance in consumption.
Any carrier who follows the following driving tips achieve significant fuel savings:
- Avoid aggressive driving : Driving smoothly is very beneficial. Excessive speed, harsh braking, changing lanes excessively or taking curves abruptly generate higher consumption.
- Keep the same speed . Implementing speed restrictions in fleet management can be a very successful option. Moving forward at a constant pace will make you spend up to 10% less fuel.
- Turn off the engine when you are stopped for a long time . Cars in neutral spend up to a liter per hour. If you're stuck in traffic and traffic isn't moving, the best thing to do is turn off the engine until you start it again.
- Optimizes the use of air conditioning . The DGT recommends keeping the interior of vehicles between 21 and 24 degrees. Putting the air conditioning below that temperature range will cause fuel consumption to increase exponentially.
Conclusions
With fuel prices skyrocketing, the sum of actions that help save fuel is a necessity to maintain productivity .
Following certain practical recommendations, optimizing fleet maintenance and establishing responsible driving guidelines are almost an obligation for any owner of a transport and delivery company.
New technologies also represent a very valuable support to reduce spending on gasoline. Having software like Vonzu improves route efficiency while optimizing business management and reducing associated expenses.
