Fuel Conservation

Fleet Services
Curious about how your fleet is doing? Get a Free Assessment.

The following is a list of initiatives that would need to be implemented over the next year* to ensure the success of a Fuel Conservation program. These items are listed in a tentative priority order.

  1. Communication to the entire organization announcing the scope and company’s dedication to the project.
  2. MPG report to establish baseline
  3. Contest that encourages the drivers to drive in the most efficient manner possible at all times and the development of a sporadic E.C.M. (Electronic Control Module) download schedule. Determine Terminal manager involvement (Commitment) as the project progresses via involvement with the contests.
  4. No idle zone posted in terminals and yards to change behaviors.
  5. Develop individual presentations that support the fifteen (15) items that directly affect fuel economy and rollout in a manner that will train the drivers while not overwhelming them.
    1. Speed 9. Tire Pressure
    2. Idling 10. 5th wheel position
    3. Cruise Control 11. Alignment
    4. Engine Brake 12. Skip shifting
    5. Progressive shifting 13. Air Leaks
    6. Top Govern Speed 14. Bug Deflectors
    7. Dropping Gears 15. Brake Adjustments
    8. Driving when upset/uncomfortable
  6. Develop and implement a vehicle certification process.
  7. Equipment Speed Reduction compared to specification.
  8. Develop Driver training program with the use of the following:
    • Training session make use of manufacturer videos and slide presentation.
    • Train & Certify driver trainers.
    • Certify drivers in respective equipment.
    • Use vendor developed videos and communicate throughout organization.
    • Implement with new drivers as part of hiring process.
    • Train poor performers.
    • Reward the drivers who get results. (Praise efforts, reward results.)
  9. Proper Utilization of Equipment
    1. Develop company policy to accomplish the following whenever possible:
      1. Proper use of equipment, do not let seniority or favoritism play a role in vehicle assignments.
      2. Develop method of monitoring the proper use of equipment.
    2. Ensure poor MPG performance is not attributed to terrain or freight.
    3. Determine if more economically efficient equipment could be used.
  10. Driver Routing
  11. Develop Speed vs Cost Presentation with various manufacturers.
  12. MPG Product Test
  13. Develop Maintenance Hot line for poor performing equipment or drivers.
  14. Driver video created to capture the buy-in. (WIIFM)
  15. Write article for trade magazine to insure the following:
    1. Communicate Efforts
    2. Customer Awareness
    3. Regulatory Awareness
    4. Ease “Green Fleet” certification process
  16. Implement “Green Fleet” Program
    1. Determine criteria from State
    2. Determine Gap
    3. Develop Plan
    4. Implement Plan
    5. Think Green, Be Green

*Yes, it will take approximately a year to make a permanent change to the culture of any organization.

For more information — please contact us about our Fuel Conservation Services
.