How Driver Training Lowers Fuel Spend: 5 Hidden Costs Most Businesses Miss
Many newer commercial rental customers believe fuel spend is driven primarily by the price at the pump. The reality is quite different. Factors such as bad driving behaviors and poorly planned routes can cost more than the current price per gallon over the long run. That’s why right sizing your fuel budget starts with teaching drivers how to navigate the roads safely.
In this article, we’ll reveal the five hidden fuel costs most businesses miss, explore fuel-efficient driving strategies, and explain how training and technology can improve driver behavior and save fleets money.
How Does Driver Behavior Impact Commercial Rental Fuel Budgets?
A truck is only as efficient as the person behind the wheel. When a driver is steady and careful, the miles per gallon (MPGs) look great. But when driver behavior lapses, your fuel budget can disappear fast.
Researchers at MIT quantified the impact. They found that one particular behavior, aggressive driving, reduces fuel economy in light-duty trucks by between 15% to 30% at highway speeds and between 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.
One approach to combat aggressive driving, researchers say, is to limit rapid acceleration and hard braking. The study recommends that drivers slowly but steadily increase speed when accelerating and anticipate traffic conditions ahead so they don’t have to slam on the brakes.
5 Hidden Drains on a Commercial Rental Fuel Budget
If jackrabbit starts and sudden stops were the only things impacting a commercial rental fleet’s fuel budget, they’d be easy to solve. But other factors also reduce fuel economy. Here are five of the most surprising causes of higher fuel costs.
1. Speeding
Speeding faster than the posted limit isn’t just dangerous. It also reduces a rental truck’s MPG significantly. One study shows that driving 5 miles per hour (mph) over 50 is like paying an addition 21 cents for a gallon of gas. Data from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) shows that a truck traveling at 75 mph consumes 27% more fuel than one going 65 mph. Limiting truck speed to 65 mph can save 2.8 billion gallons of diesel fuel over a decade, says the ATA.
2. Idling
Idling can consume between a quarter gallon and a half gallon of fuel per hour depending, upon engine size and air-conditioning use. It also wastes fuels and increases engine wear.
3. Uneven shifting
Every time a driver shifts gears, fuel economy lessens. Block shifting, such as going directly from second gear to fifth gear, also reduces fuel mileage.
4. Poorly planned routes
Many fleets and drivers choose routes based on the shortest distance from point A to B. And while that’s one key factor, so are the road type, time spent in traffic and elevation. Routes that occur during rush hour in major metro areas will require more idling, making them less fuel-efficient. Navigating hilly or mountainous terrain can result in unsteady speeds, leading to higher fuel consumption.
5. Subpar maintenance
When drivers perform inspections before each trip, it saves both time and money. Properly inflated tires are safer and can improve gas mileage by up to 3%. Using the correct grade of oil as recommended by the manufacturer can boost fuel economy by another 1% to 2%.
Key Elements To Include in a Driver Training Program
Starting a driver training program is a wise investment for fleets of all sizes. Such a program should include, at a minimum, instruction and reminders about observing posted speed limits, proper shifting techniques, guidelines for proper idling and other fuel-saving tips.
Another must-have is education on route planning. Encourage drivers to use truck-specific GPS devices that can help them avoid potential hazards such as low bridges or weight-restricted roadways. To maximize fuel economy, show drivers how to set their GPS to select the most eco-friendly routes.
Aim to provide training for newly hired drivers and regular refreshers for veteran operators. Additionally, consider using telematics devices that can track driver behavior and offer in-the-moment education following hard braking and other incidents. This type of in-vehicle feedback is proven to improve fuel economy by 6.6%.
Unsure how to start a driver training initiative? The EPA’s SmartWay® Transport program offers a free online SmartDriver program covering topics like proper stop-start techniques, progressive shifting, trip planning and maintenance.
How Much Fuel Can I Really Save With Better Driver Training?
ATA data shows that skilled truck drivers can produce 35% better MPG than less-skilled truck operators. But fleets using commercial rental vehicles can benefit from even small improvements. Achieving just a 5% increase in fuel economy could save more than $3,000 in fuel costs and remove 8 metric tons of potentially harmful emissions per truck each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
How Does a Penske Commercial Rental Help Fleets Reduce Their Fuel Budget?
When businesses rent a truck from Penske, they benefit from the expertise of a partner recognized by the EPA SmartWay Transport program for its commitment to promoting sustainability in trucking. With Penske Truck Rental, fleets save on fuel costs in multiple ways, including:
Well-maintained vehicles
Penske offers some of the best-maintained commercial rentals in the industry, including cargo vans, medium-duty box trucks, heavy-duty tractors, refrigerated trucks and trailers, and flatbed trucks. All rentals go through Dynamic PM®, a data-driven service providing the right level of preventive maintenance at the right time, reducing the risk of breakdowns and repairs.
Fleet Insightâ„¢ and telematics
Penske’s Fleet Insight™ app, gives fleets detail into fuel efficiency for rental trucks. Companies can compare their MPG against benchmarks and get recommendations for improvements. Fleet Insight captures GPS-powered telematics data from commercial rental vehicles, providing insights to help fleets operate more efficiently and effectively.
Penske Driverâ„¢
With the free Penske Driverâ„¢ app, operators can record their Hours of Service to meet the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate for commercial rental trucks in the U.S. and Canada. Drivers can use the app to support trip planning by finding parking, EV charging, the best truck stops and more.
Electric vehicle options
Fleets focused on sustainability can skip the gas pump entirely with electric high-roof cargo vans. These commercial rental vehicles can travel up to 100 or more miles with zero greenhouse gas emissions. They’re ideal for businesses that need to make multiple stops in congested areas.
Ready to ramp up your commercial fleet and keep your fuel budget in check? Browse our selection of reals and reserve a truck today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What impacts fuel costs the most for commercial rental trucks?
The biggest factor in fuel costs for commercial rental vehicles isn’t the price at the pump. It’s the person behind the wheel. Heavy-footed acceleration, idling in parking lots and taking longer routes can eat through a budget faster than gas prices.
How much can fleets save on fuel with better driver behavior?
Yes. Even tiny improvements in driver behavior create meaningful savings. According to industry data, improving fuel efficiency by just 5% can save more than $3,000 per truck each year while also reducing emissions.
How can Penske help businesses manage fuel costs when renting trucks?
The team at Penske starts by making sure you’re in a well-maintained commercial rental truck built for efficiency. Beyond the vehicle itself, Penske gives you a full view into miles per gallon through tools like Fleet Insight™, while the Penske Driver™ app helps drivers plan more efficient routes.
