5 Things That Will Reduce Fuel Consumption
Every business should prioritise cost reduction. One easy way to do this is to examine the amount of fuel your drivers are using and work to reduce fuel consumption.
Every business should prioritise cost reduction. One easy way to do this is to examine the amount of fuel your drivers are using and work to reduce fuel consumption.
Simon Pavey
Website Marketing Manager
Fuel consumption will differ for every vehicle, but you can save if you know what you’re doing.
According to the UK Retail Road Fuels Market 2019 report from the Petrol Retailers Association, businesses across the country used 46.5 billion litres of fuel in 2018. That’s a staggering figure, but it highlights the scope of potential savings.
Here, we examine five things that will reduce fuel consumption.
Many variables impact the number of miles drivers will see from their vehicles per gallon. Maximising fuel savings can be complex, but some simple measures deliver consistent results.
One of the biggest contributing factors is the vehicle's weight—heavier loads require more fuel to carry.
As a result, you should reduce the number of unnecessary items in your vehicle. This includes things like roof racks, roof boxes, and bike racks, which not only add weight but can also significantly increase fuel consumption due to increased air resistance.
Indeed, RAC patrol Chris Burgess advises: “Avoid keeping heavy loads and loose items in your car when not required … and don’t forget to remove luggage racks and roof bars when you no longer need them.”
Meanwhile, tyre pressure can also have a significant impact on fuel efficiency.
Take the time to regularly check the psi of your tyres and ensure they are in line with the manufacturer’s recommended pressures. Remember, there’s often a different recommendation for the front and rear.
Correctly setting tyre pressures can help you save a lot of money, as any drop-off in pressure will increase the friction between the tyre and the road. The flatter your tyres are, the more fuel is required to overcome this force and keep your vehicle moving.
One of the most beneficial changes drivers can make to reduce their fuel consumption is to amend their style of driving. There are five key pointers that every motorist should be aware of:
Your vehicle will use more fuel whilst accelerating. As such, smoother driving, not necessarily slower driving will limit the need to brake and accelerate hard, reducing fuel consumption.
The higher revs your engine is asked to make, the more fuel it needs. Gentle acceleration is, therefore, more efficient and pleasant for you and your passengers.
Read about how efficient driving reduces fuel costs in this article.
Many modern cars have air conditioning installed. However, you might not know that turning it on uses fuel.
As a result, opening the windows when you want to cool down can reduce fuel consumption. While this can increase drag, it’s more fuel-efficient than air conditioning.
You should consider the road ahead if you want to avoid unnecessary braking.
Remember to look up the road to anticipate potential problems. Watch for upcoming traffic or possible hazards, allowing you to slow down smoothly to avoid harsh braking.
Motia’s telematic services can be seen here. These telematics can help monitor driver behaviour and alert drivers to upcoming traffic or more efficient routes.
Speed is one of the most significant factors in determining fuel consumption.
When you exceed the national speed limit of 60 mph, fuel usage dramatically increases. This is because the engine has to work harder to maintain a higher speed. For example, driving at 80 mph uses 40% more fuel than driving at 60 mph.
Consider sustainability and potential fuel savings by reading our alternative fuel sources guide.
Knowing where you are going and how to get there can significantly reduce your fuel consumption. Limiting the number of wrong turns also reduces your overall mileage. Therefore, it’s essential to always plan your journeys and factor in breaks when travelling long distances.
When you follow the advice above, you’ll reduce fuel consumption and become a safer, better driver. Being aware of what is happening around you is essential for all drivers.
At the same time, being more organised with your planning means fewer distractions when you take to the road.
Apart from a more general change in driver behaviour, there are other ways to save on fuel costs. One way is to observe driver behaviour and, therefore, work to reduce fuel consumption.
Fuel cards represent an easy win for businesses and individuals. One of the biggest benefits of opening a fuel card account is the savings you can make. They also help streamline the management of fuel expenses. You receive a single invoice covering all transactions, and you eliminate the need to carry physical cash to fill up your vehicles using your card instead.
At Motia, we pride ourselves on our competitive rates and always looking after our clients. Signing up with us could save you up to 10p per litre on the cost of petrol and diesel.
Find out more about our wide selection of fuel cards – including all the biggest names, such as BP, Esso and Shell.
Providing Fleet Solutions to optimise operations, cut costs, and keep your business moving.
