Venson outlines how smarter driving, planning and maintenance can help control costs
Despite Government efforts to ease prices at the pumps – including the chancellor’s recent confirmation of the extension to the 5p fuel duty cut – the ongoing conflict means fuel prices remain volatile. Indeed, petrol and diesel prices have reached their highest prices since the Iran war began[i]prompting Venson Automotive Solutions to advise fleet decision-makers on how to control rising costs.
UK drivers have already paid an additional £1.2bn for fuel compared to pre-conflict prices[ii], but measures including efficient driving, smarter journey planning, proactive maintenance and maximising vehicle efficiency could reduce consumption by up to 10% driving down fuel bills, according to Venson.
While managing fuel costs will vary by fleet mix and operational requirements, many cost-saving fundamentals apply to both car and van fleets. Top priority is ensuring vehicles are properly maintained with regular servicing and tyre pressure checks. This alone can add 5% to 10% to a fuel bill if not correct.
Meanwhile, telematics can deliver further savings by educating drivers to take the shortest route possible and avoiding congestion, with telematics providers suggesting guaranteed fuel savings of 10%.
Venson is also advising fleet professionals to brief drivers on economical driving. Regular driver training and driver risk management can help with addressing poor driving behaviours, helping correct bad habits, while reinforcing best practices. Venson also advises a planned program of refresher training to help prevent drivers reverting back to old habits.
As Simon Staton, Client Management Director, Venson Automotive Solutions explains, “Incorporating simple driving habits can make a real difference. For instance, anticipating the road and road users as far ahead as possible contributes to smooth driving, helping avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking. Harsh acceleration significantly increases fuel consumption and accelerates tyre and engine wear and tear. It can also be linked to heavy braking, which also adds unnecessary wear and tear to brakes.”
Unstable prices at the pump are also encouraging some fleet operators to look for more efficient vehicles or transition to electric, but Venson warns that simply having a more efficient vehicle is not enough on its own. Vehicles must be fit for purpose and used correctly to maximise efficiency and savings, as poor specification or usage can reduce the expected benefits. Meanwhile, the decision on when to switch to electric vehicles depends largely on total cost of ownership (TCO) factors, charging infrastructure, and vehicle suitability, rather than fuel prices alone.
Simon Staton, concludes, “While we welcome the extension of the fuel duty cut, fuel price instability remains a huge issue for all fleets. With reports of fuel bills for medium sized hauliers increasing by £100k in two months[iii] it is easy to see how worrying the situation is for businesses. Whether operating a commercial fleet or company cars, these tips are just a flavour of the support that fleet operators need currently. Their fleet provider should be working hand in hand with them to look after their needs and respond with the appropriate advice.”
Venson’s seven steps to tackling fuel costs
- Plan journeys – choose timing and routes to avoid congestion.
- Combine trips – drivers attending meetings could group appointments in the same area or along the same route. For tradespeople, arrange direct delivery of materials to sites, instead of repeated depot trips. This cuts downtime, unnecessary mileage, and vehicle weight.
- Share journeys – car sharing for commutes or meetings reduces fuel use and company CO₂ emissions.
- Driver awareness – ensure drivers understand fuel-saving features in their vehicles by referring to manufacturer guidance and handbooks.
- Use in-vehicle technology – systems like adaptive cruise control, stop/start, emergency braking, gear shift indicators, and MPG displays support more efficient driving.
- Check tyre pressure – under-inflated tyres increase resistance and fuel use. Regular checks can improve efficiency and extend tyre life.
- Remove unused roof equipment – roof boxes and racks increase drag and fuel consumption. E.g. A roof box can increase consumption by around 22% at 62mph and 39% at 75mph
[i] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20zgjzz0e4o
[ii] https://www.racfoundation.org/media-centre/pump-price-war-premium-passes-one-billion-pounds