Fleet management

Fleet management is a hot topic with many fleet managers rising to the challenge. There are always improvements to be made when it comes to environmental considerations, improving efficiency, and reducing the operating costs per vehicle. Here are six tips for superior fleet management.

1. Reduce the Van Insurance Cost

Paying too much for van insurance adds up when the business operates multiple vans. Looking at a van insurance comparison highlights whether the company is overpaying for its coverage. Along with the three types of van insurance – comprehensive; third party, fire, and theft; and third party only – other aspects apply too. For example, when goods are transported inside the van, there’s a bigger risk. The value of the goods inside the van is protected when you add goods-in-transit cover. Otherwise, you might only be covered for damage to the van. Other situations that need to be taken into account include when extra drivers are required for the van, or a driver is under 25.

2. Use Fleet Management Software

Fleet management software has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years. You are no longer limited to a PC since the software is now available on tablets and smartphones too. Checking a fleet vehicle into the depot is subsequently quicker than ever. The software can guide the inspection through every step to ensure nothing is missed. Any new scratch or dent that has appeared during the most recent journey won’t get missed again. Software not only tracks vehicles and drivers on their journeys; it can also list details about each road asset. Maintenance schedules, expected lifespans, and other details are viewable as a group to get a snapshot of all assets at the same time. This allows fleet-wide decisions to be made.

3. Manage Fuel Costs and Efficiency

While some fleets are gradually moving across to electric vehicles, many still use fossil fuels to power down the road. The cost of fuel for a fleet of vans must be kept as affordable as possible. At a time when fuel prices are rising, cost savings allow companies to keep more vans running. Using a fuel card system like Fuelmate can track your spending on fuel. Recommendations and discounts provide a way to reduce expenditures. Also, analytical reporting permits you as the fleet manager to assess the fuel efficiency of each driver.

4. Driver Performance Monitoring

You may assume that the larger the fleet, the bigger the headaches. If you don’t keep a tight handle on your team of drivers, that may be true. While accidents do occur and may not be the fault of the driver, that’s not always the case. Drivers can become overly tired with their delayed reaction time failing to prevent an accident. Their injury and possibly other road users too could have implications both legally and for their health.

Limiting aggressive driving in reaction to the poor driving by other road users is to be avoided. Medical screening and testing for illicit substances also reduce issues here. Monitoring the rate of accidents or near misses per trip (or over a set mileage) allows the manager to compare individual driver performance against the averages. On-time reports for deliveries are also worth monitoring. Strong route management and GPS systems should prevent drivers from getting lost or taking a detour. Fleet management software should have features to facilitate this.

5. Take Van Maintenance More Seriously

A broken-down van on the side of the road costs the business money. Whether a customer is expecting a delivery, or you are moving goods between depots, this creates an inconvenience to the business. Preventative maintenance for vans catches problems early and prevents others that aren’t obvious yet. Tune-ups and replacing parts before they’ve worn down maximizes the use of all fleet assets. Drivers are also kept busier without unnecessary downtime. Driver morale is more manageable when the company’s vans do not let them down.

6. Cut Air Pollution on Diesel Vans

Caring for the environment keeps customers and drivers more contented. A younger workforce places a major emphasis on working for a green company. Anything that the business can do to respond to this attracts fresh talent. Diesel vans produce both nitrogen oxide (NOx) and CO2 emissions. This isn’t great for the planet. Using diesel emissions fluid-like Adblue reduces the NOx by over 80 percent. It will need replenishing in all diesel-based vans every 5,000 miles driven, but it helps to keep vans within emission regulations. Diesel emissions fluid is usually corrosive to metal surfaces, so it should be carefully stored between uses.

Superior fleet management relies on following sensible procedures, looking for cost efficiencies, and monitoring driver behaviors. While tracking vans and other fleet vehicles on their journeys are part of it, there is far more that’s involved to maximize fleet performance.