In business driving, a short journey is typically any trip under five miles. While these journeys may seem minor on their own, repeated short trips can significantly increase the overall cost of short journeys for businesses, especially when they make up a large share of daily fleet activity.
Typical short-trip patterns in commercial fleets
Short journeys are common across many fleet types. This includes:
Last-mile delivery routes.
Local sales visits.
Site inspections and call-outs.
Trips between depots or nearby client locations.
For many fleets, these journeys occur multiple times a day across multiple vehicles, quickly adding up fuel consumption, wear and tear, and lost efficiency.
Why are short journeys common in business use?
Modern businesses rely on speed and flexibility. Urban operations, tight schedules, and customer expectations all drive frequent, short-distance travel. While unavoidable in many cases, these driving patterns can quietly increase fleet short-journey costs if they’re not actively managed.
Urban driving vs long-distance efficiency
Vehicles are far more efficient once fully warmed up and driven at steady speeds. Short, stop-start urban trips prevent engines from reaching optimal operating temperature, increasing short-trip fuel consumption compared to longer motorway or A-road journeys.
Why short journeys cost more than you expect
Short journeys often look cheaper on paper, but the real-world costs tell a different story. From fuel use to maintenance, the impact of short journeys on vehicles is broader than many businesses realise.
Cold engines and increased fuel consumption
Cold engines need more fuel to operate efficiently. On short trips, vehicles may be switched off before reaching the ideal temperature, meaning fuel is burned less efficiently throughout the journey, one of the main reasons short trips' fuel consumption is higher.
Higher wear on engines, brakes, and exhaust systems
Repeated cold starts increase engine wear. Brakes also suffer in stop-start traffic, while exhaust systems, particularly in diesel vehicles, struggle to operate correctly on short runs. Over time, this leads to higher fleet maintenance costs.
Increased emissions during short trips
Engines produce more emissions when cold. Frequent short journeys increase CO₂ and NOx output, making it harder for businesses to meet sustainability targets and comply with emissions-focused regulations.
Reduced fuel efficiency and MPG loss
Lower MPG is a direct contributor to the fleet's short-journey costs. When multiplied across multiple vehicles and drivers, even small efficiency losses can result in a significant rise in monthly fuel spend.
The hidden business costs of short trips
Beyond fuel, short journeys introduce less visible but equally damaging costs to business fleets.
More frequent maintenance and repairs
Increased wear leads to more frequent servicing, repairs, and component failures. These costs can easily outweigh the perceived savings of short-distance travel.
Shortened vehicle lifespan and depreciation
The long-term impact of short journeys on vehicles includes reduced engine life and faster depreciation. Vehicles used primarily for short trips often reach the end of life sooner than those driven on mixed or longer routes.
Increased fuel spend across fleets
Individually, short trips may seem insignificant. Across an entire fleet, however, inefficient fuel use can dramatically increase total fuel costs, especially in urban operations.
Downtime caused by preventable issues
Breakdowns, warning lights, and unplanned garage visits lead to vehicle downtime. This disrupts operations, reduces productivity, and increases reliance on replacement vehicles.
Compliance, emissions and UK regulations
Short journeys also create challenges around compliance and emissions, particularly for UK-based fleets operating in urban areas.
Impact on emissions and sustainability targets
Businesses with ESG or carbon-reduction goals may struggle to meet targets if their fleet is dominated by inefficient short journeys.
DPF issues caused by repeated short journeys
Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) require sustained higher-speed driving to regenerate properly. Repeated short journeys prevent this process, leading to blockages, warning lights, and costly repairs.
Urban driving, ULEZ and clean air zones
Higher emissions increase the risk of non-compliance with ULEZ and Clean Air Zone requirements. This can result in daily charges, fines, or the need to upgrade vehicles sooner than planned.
MOT failures linked to short-trip driving
Short journeys can contribute to MOT failures due to emissions issues, exhaust faults, or DPF problems, adding further unexpected costs.
How short journeys affect different vehicle types
Not all vehicles respond to short journeys in the same way. Understanding these differences is key to managing short journeys cost-effectively in the fleet.
Vehicle type | Suitability for short journeys | Key issues on short trips | Cost impact |
|---|---|---|---|
Petrol | Moderate | Poor MPG when cold, engine wear | Medium |
Diesel | Low | DPF blockages, emissions faults | High |
Hybrid | Good (urban use) | Benefits depend on charging and trip length | Low–Medium |
Electric (EV) | Very high | Range planning only | Low |
Petrol vehicles and short-trip efficiency
Petrol vehicles generally cope better with short trips than diesels, but still suffer from poor fuel efficiency and increased engine wear when used primarily for short journeys.
Diesel vehicles, DPFs and regeneration problems
Diesel vehicles are the most affected. Frequent short trips increase the risk of DPF failure, making them less suitable for predominantly urban, short-distance use.
Hybrid vehicles on short urban journeys
Hybrids can perform well on short trips, especially in urban environments, by relying more on electric power. However, benefits depend on charging habits and journey length.
EVs and short journeys – costs and benefits
EVs are often well-suited to short business journeys. They’re efficient at low speeds, have fewer moving parts, and avoid many maintenance issues associated with internal combustion engines, making them a strong option for reducing short-trip costs fleet-wide.
How businesses can reduce the cost of short journeys
While short journeys are sometimes unavoidable, there are practical ways to reduce their financial impact.
Route planning and journey consolidation
Combining jobs, optimising routes, and reducing unnecessary trips can significantly lower fuel use and wear across fleets.
Driver education and efficient driving habits
Training drivers to avoid unnecessary idling, harsh acceleration, and poor driving habits improves fuel efficiency, even on short trips.
Choosing the right vehicle for short trips
Matching vehicle type to journey profile is essential. Petrol, hybrid, or electric vehicles may be more cost-effective than diesel-powered vehicles for short urban routes.
Monitoring short-trip usage with telematics
Telematics data helps businesses identify excessive short journeys, inefficient routes, and vehicles that may be poorly matched to their usage, supporting smarter fleet decisions.
FAQ's
Why do short journeys use more fuel?
Short journeys often involve cold engines, which are less efficient and use more fuel until they reach optimal operating temperature.
Are short trips bad for diesel vehicles?
Yes. Frequent short journeys can prevent diesel particulate filters (DPFs) from regenerating properly, leading to faults and costly repairs.
Do short journeys increase vehicle maintenance costs?
They can. Increased wear, higher emissions, and incomplete engine warm-up all contribute to more frequent servicing and repairs.
How can fleets reduce the cost of short journeys?
By consolidating routes, using suitable vehicles, training drivers, and monitoring usage patterns through fleet data.
Are EVs better suited to short business journeys?
In many cases, yes. EVs are typically more efficient on short trips and are less prone to maintenance issues associated with internal combustion engines.
