Businesses that have mobile workforces and fleets of vehicles should have a fleet management solution as this can help save time and money. By having a structured solution, fleet managers can easily monitor the performance of their fleet and track any maintenance issues, which will help to ensure that your business continues to run smoothly.
We’ve detailed how businesses can implement a cost-effective fleet management solution so that they can maximise efficiency, increase productivity, and improve road safety. All of which will have a positive impact on businesses and allow them to save money.
What is fleet management?
Fleet management covers various activities to control costs and maintain safety. This includes:
Driver retention
Fleet tracking
Vehicle acquisition
Total cost reduction
What to consider when implementing a fleet management solution
When implementing a fleet management solution, businesses will need to consider the size and volume of their vehicles and the cost implications of hiring a fleet manager to organise their fleet. In addition, different industries will have different requirements, so it’s crucial that your fleet management solution is directly tailored to your business.
Fleet Management for building, construction, and engineering
Businesses in this industry tend to predominantly have fleets that consist of HGVs and LGVs, so they’ll need to analyse how to manage larger vehicles that carry a lot of weight. For this reason, more risk assessments will need to be made to ensure that drivers and their vehicles are safe to be on the road. Due to the weight of these vehicles, fuel consumption is higher and the changes to the red diesel entitlement in April 2022 have increased the cost to refuel further. So, fleets should consider these costs when implementing a fleet management solution to ensure that they stay within a set budget.
Fleet Management for taxi and limo firms
Taxi and limo drivers are likely to have a high vehicle mileage, and this can cause financial challenges for businesses as insurance costs will be higher and the resale value of vehicles will be reduced. Vehicles that are constantly on the move will also require more maintenance to improve safety and this is particularly important, as taxi and limo firms will often be ferrying around passengers. Drivers should be checking tyres for wear and tear on a regular basis and ensure that they meet the legal limits for tread. Not only can this help to make your fleet safer, but it can also aid fuel efficiency and save your business money. This means that a vehicle maintenance plan is needed to ensure that your fleet vehicles are well maintained and ready for use.
Fleet Management for haulage and transport
There are many financial factors that fleet managers in the haulage and transport industry should consider in order to minimise costs for the business. Fleets in this sector mainly consist of HGVs which are expensive to fill up due to their large tanks. To help improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs, fleet managers should monitor driver behaviour and invest in a fuel card as fuel usage and refilling activity can be easily monitored online. This also allows businesses to track where and when their vehicles are travelling, and this makes them easier to manage.
HGV drivers should carry out daily walkaround checks to make sure that their vehicle is safe to drive and report any defects to their fleet manager. Elements that drivers should check include:
Mirrors and glass – ensure that they’re not cracked or damaged.
Windscreen wipers and washers – check that they’re not missing or damaged.
Dashboard warning lights and gauges – check that they’re all working correctly.
Lights and indicators – ensure that they’re working correctly and that the lenses are fitted, clean and in the right colour.
Battery – check that it’s secure, in good condition and not leaking.
Tyres – ensure the tyres and wheels are secure, have a tread depth of at least 1mm and are inflated correctly.
Security of load – check that the right load securing system has been used and that the load does not move.
Fleet Management for Agriculture and farming
Vehicles that are used by businesses in the agriculture and farming industry are usually large and costly to run, with owners spending more on fuel and maintenance than other sectors. Businesses may also need to hire additional machinery and plant which will need to be managed and maintained, adding to the responsibility of fleet managers.
In addition, there are safety risks involved with these vehicles, as agriculture has the worst rate of worker fatal injury of all the main industry sectors. Businesses need to ensure that all drivers are properly trained to use these vehicles safely to prevent any accidents. These risks and training should therefore be a crucial part of your fleet management solution.
The benefits of fleet management
Managing business vehicles can be challenging and time-consuming, which is why can be helpful to have a fleet management solution as this can help to make it easier to coordinate your drivers and their vehicles. Having a defined process for recruitment, training and compliance can contribute to a well-functioning fleet driver group and this will help you to remain profitable and keep your drivers safe.
One of the main benefits of fleet management is the ability to reduce costs. This can be achieved by monitoring your drivers’ behaviour and ensuring that they’re as efficient as possible, as this can drop costs by up to 10% and ensure you meet environmental targets. Closely tracking behaviour can also confirm that your drivers are being safe, allowing businesses to identify dangerous habits and introduce training so that drivers know how to act responsibly whilst on the road.
In addition, having a dedicated fleet management solution allows businesses to stay on top of any maintenance work that may be required on their vehicles. This will help to minimise downtime for vehicle maintenance and ensure your fleet can get back on the road as quickly as possible, saving businesses time and money.
Businesses need to stay in line with regulations to ensure that they’re compliant with the law. This can be a time-consuming task, particularly if you have a larger fleet, however, using analytics reports as part of your fleet management solution can help you to stay on top of this admin.
How fuel cards can help with fleet management
Fuel cards can assist in the data-led analysis of driver performance, identify improvement areas, and help businesses manage their fuel expenditure. Businesses can easily monitor their fleet vehicles via our online account management system which reduces the time spent on admin as drivers no longer need to keep hold of their fuel receipts.
At Right Fuel Card, we offer a range of cost-effective fuel cards that can help businesses efficiently manage their fleet. No matter what size fleet you manage, we can find you the perfect fuel card to suit your business needs. Contact our team today at 0113 202 5110 to discuss your fuel card options, or alternatively, you can use our quick comparison tool to find out which fuel card we’d recommend for your fleet.
 | David JamesDavid has worked in the fuel card industry since 2008. His financial insights have been featured in various publications, such as The Sun, the Daily Express and The Yorkshire Times where he provides money-saving tips for motorists. David is passionate about charity work and regularly raises money through running events, including the London Marathon and the Leeds Abbey Dash. |
