Dec 06/Jan 07

Businesses fitting telematics systems in their fleets are saving millions of gallons of fuel a year through more efficient operations.

That's the inference of a report from systems supplier Microlise, which says that users of its own products alone are probably saving over 4,500,000 litres of fuel a year. Extrapolated over all suppliers, this suggests a remarkably high saving.

Microlise says its own Fleet & Distribution customers typically see a reduction in fuel consumption of 10 to 15 per cent - attributed largely to increased efficiency in the use of their vehicles.

Spread over a vehicle population ranging from 7.5-tonne box vans to 40-tonne artics, Microlise says this translates to an estimated reduction of over 14,500,000 kilometres in the total distance travelled, with resultant reductions in wear and tear on road surfaces and fleet maintenance. Benefits also include a reduction of more than 11,500 tons per year in CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to about 9,600 people flying to New York and back, the company says.

 

The savings result largely from changes in driver behaviour, Microlise says - notably a reduction in harsh acceleration, incorrect selection of gears and engine speed, incorrect use of brakes (exhaust, engine and air), and unnecessary engine idling.

Nice to know you're doing the planet some good while you're streamlining your fleet operations at the same time.