Although it’s true that you can’t control ever-changing fuel prices, you can adjust how you drive to get the most out of every gallon.
The cost of fuel is one of a carrier’s biggest operational expenses. A vehicle that travels for 100,000 miles (or more) per year and averages less than 7–8 miles per gallon uses a lot of fuel in a year. Do the math!
Fuel cost and fuel mileage
To understand the possible costs and savings in this area, consider the following:
- A truck that gets 6.25 miles per gallon (mpg) will burn 16,000 gallons of fuel over 100,000 miles.
- A truck that gets 6.75 mpg will burn 14,815 gallons of fuel over 100,000 miles.
- This is a difference of 1,185 gallons for every 100,000 miles.
- With the current cost of around $5.37 per gallon for diesel fuel (per the Energy Information Administration), that means an operating cost difference of about $6,363.
- For 10 trucks, that means a fleet-wide cost reduction of $63,630 for every 100,000 miles the fleet rolls.
Remember, this is assuming a 0.5 mpg improvement. Increasing fuel mileage by 1 mpg would double the cost reduction.
Improving fuel mileage
So how can fuel mileage be improved? Some activities are easy, and others require a serious commitment by both the company and drivers. Here are common methods used to increase fuel mileage:
- Smooth and steady: Tell your drivers to make an effort to keep their driving smooth and steady, as rapid acceleration and braking wastes fuel. The faster the acceleration, the more fuel is burned. Also, every time the vehicle accelerates, slows, and then reaccelerates, more fuel is burned. According to U.S. Department of Energy data, this type of driving can lower mileage by about one-third at highway speeds.
- Speed: Drivers should work to maintain an even speed by using the vehicle’s cruise control when operating in good weather conditions, on open highways, and flat terrain. In most cases, maintaining an even speed will save fuel. Plus, keep in mind that traveling at fast speeds uses more fuel. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, while each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at different speeds or ranges of speeds, mileage usually drops at speeds over 50 miles per hour.
- Progressive shifting: Advise drivers to keep an eye on the revolutions per minute (RPMs). Progressive shifting is the practice of keeping the shifting RPMs low in low gear and increasing the shifting RPMs as you work through the gears. Changing gears at lower RPMs requires less fuel. The higher the RPMs, the more fuel burned.
- Watch your weight: Remove unnecessary items that may add weight to the vehicle, as additional weight can reduce fuel economy.
- Stops: Remind drivers to shorten stops when possible. It’s more fuel efficient to start a warm engine than a cold engine.
- Idling: An idling truck engine uses about one gallon of fuel per hour. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that, on average, a long-haul truck idles for 1,800–2,400 hours per year. Using an estimate of $4.00 per gallon for diesel fuel, this adds up to between $7,200 and $9,600 per year per truck. Some helpful ways to reduce idling include:
- Shutting off the engine when no one is in the vehicle,
- Eliminating idling time when waiting, and
- Keeping engine cool-down time at the end of the day to a minimum.
- Vehicle maintenance: Routine maintenance can contribute to an overall fuel conservation program. Oil, fuel, and air filters should be changed according to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications, as dirty filters can decrease fuel economy. Fluid levels should also be checked regularly, since low fluid levels can lead to additional draw on the engine due to additional friction in the components that help reduce fuel mileage.
- Equipment: Buy equipment with fuel mileage in mind. When spec’ing equipment, consider:
- Power to weight when selecting an engine,
- The ideal engine operating RPMs when selecting a transmission and rear axle(s),
- Tractor and trailer aerodynamics,
- Low-rolling resistance tires, and
- Other options that can directly affect fuel mileage.
McCraren Compliance offers comprehensive safety training to help prevent accidents. Visit our class calendar to see how our training and consulting services can enhance your safety efforts.
Original article published by J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.