Three things to remember if you want to keep your fleet costs under control

For all companies that use trucks to deliver goods, reducing operating costs is one of the most important factors for commercial success in logistics. However, not every transportation logistics professional knows how to effectively address these cost considerations. Therefore, you should always keep the following aspects in mind to make your transport logistics more economical and successful.

Optimize your fuel consumption and driving style

One of the most important physical elements is choosing the right tires for your intended use. Reducing rolling resistance helps to drastically reduce fuel consumption. According to studies, tire rolling resistance is essential, especially for business vehicles. Depending on the driver and the route topology, it can account for 30 to 50% of fuel consumption. Consequently, tires with reduced rolling resistance can be the basis for a long-term reduction in fuel consumption. The prerequisite for this is that the air pressure is correct and, if feasible, automatically monitored.

Changing driving habits also has a direct impact on fuel consumption. To put these adjustments into practice, targeted driver training is required, during which the consequences of inefficient actions such as wasteful acceleration, idling or abrupt braking can be demonstrated on an individual basis.

This can be achieved with a sophisticated software solution in the truck cockpit that analyzes driving behavior in real time and provides direct feedback, even without a raised forefinger from the fleet manager. The system sends warning messages to the driver and can thus take “corrective” action. Driving behavior and fuel efficiency are thus consistently and sustainably improved.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the predominantly limited mobility of the population, traffic volumes are steadily increasing.

This increases the need for all transport operators to adapt to current traffic conditions during planning and implementation and to make quick and intelligent route changes. After all, being stuck in a traffic jam not only causes delays, but also disrupts route planning. As a result, drivers and dispatchers are stressed and hectic, and customers are dissatisfied. Swynoo helps determine the most efficient routes for all vehicles.

In addition, the cost of maintaining the company’s own fleet has a significant impact on operating expenses. This is because the increased complexity of today’s forklifts requires more intensive maintenance. In this situation, more intensive also means more expensive. So how can you extend the life and durability of vehicles without dramatically increasing their cost?

Effective scheduling of vehicle and tire inspections helps with early detection of damage and defects. Often, warning signals are ignored over an extended period of time, damage is detected/reported too late, and the risk of even more costly consequential damage or failure is accepted. With consistent, scheduled maintenance intervals and system-based notifications, you can limit the risk of longer, more expensive downtime over time.

Not only fleet management, but also drivers can contribute to the protection of particularly sensitive and rapidly wearing vehicle components through appropriate driving behavior. A forward-looking driving style includes, among other things, avoiding excessive acceleration and braking.