News
Lex Autolease survey identifies drivers attitudes to fuel consumption
-95% of drivers surveyed want to reduce their fuel bill
-68% of drivers surveyed aware of their fuel bill impacting their company’s profits
-61% of drivers state that their employers have not given them any driver training or tips on fuel efficiency
Fuel typically accounts for one-third of an average fleet vehicle’s running costs* and whilst the results reveal that while UK business drivers want to reduce their fuel consumption, the majority of their employers could do more to assist them which is a cost saving opportunity missed.
Businesses who don’t adopt a robust education programme for their drivers to help improve fuel consumption, or who have an unmanaged fuel programme, will inevitably be experience a negative impact on their profits. Over 30% of those drivers who responded said that they have not considered how their fuel bill impacted their company’s profits.
Other significant results include:
• 66% of those surveyed consider themselves ‘green’ drivers
• Over 40% of business drivers who responded don’t drive in a style to maximise their fuel economy
• 51% of respondents never shop or occasionally shop around for the cheapest fuel
• Over 10% of drivers surveyed fill up with more expensive types of fuel, such as unleaded +
As part of its fleet management service offering, Lex Autolease proactively works with UK businesses to advise them on how best to reduce their company’s fuel bill. Driver training or changes in a company’s fuel policy are among the options Lex Autolease recommends which can have a significant impact on a company’s fuel bill.
Lex Autolease’ driver tips to improve fuel efficiency
Efficient driving
Changing gear at around 2,000rpm reduces fuel use and CO2 emissions
Read the road
Anticipate hazards so that you can avoid heavy braking and unnecessarily sharp acceleration
Cut the air conditioning
Only use when necessary; it can knock up to 3mpg off your fuel consumption
Get going quickly
Drive away soon after you have started the engine; it warms up more quickly reducing fuel consumption
Accelerate briskly but not aggressively
It’s better to press the accelerator pedal down further in a higher gear than to run the engine up to high revs
Shift into top gear as soon as you can
Drive in fifth gear from around 30mph and keep to low revs (between 2000 – 3000rpm) whenever possible
Don’t ruin the aerodynamics
Only fit roof racks and boxes when absolutely necessary; they increase aerodynamic
drag considerably
Cruise moderately
Travelling at 65mph rather than 70mph can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 25%
Plan your journey
Going the long way round, getting lost and running into road works can increase your
journey considerably
Check your tyres
Running your tyres under-inflated can increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 3%
Remove unnecessary weight
Carrying additional weight in your vehicle will have a significant negative effect on your fuel consumption especially in stop/start traffic
Keep your vehicle in good shape
A regularly serviced vehicle will be more fuel efficient, as well as safer
Commenting on the results of the survey, Marcus Puddy, Head of Consultancy Services, Lex Autolease said; “Maximising a vehicle’s fuel consumption is dictated by the behaviour of the driver, with the resulting fuel economy having a significant impact on the employer’s bottom line. At Lex Autolease, we can help British businesses change their vehicle fuel consumption. Multiplied across an entire fleet of vehicles, the savings can be substantial.”
Marcus Puddy concludes; “The demand is their amongst company drivers who want to reduce their fuel bill, it’s up to them and their employers to take the necessary steps.”
* Lex Autolease consultancy services calculation
