How to Save Fuel with Hypermiling
For some businesses, the cost of fuel can put a big dent in their operations budget. The cost of fuel makes up 60% of the average budget for logistics businesses. With fuel being such a large expense for many businesses, hypermiling could help your fleet become more sustainable. Hypermiling (also known as eco-driving) is a way of driving your vehicle to make it more efficient by increasing your mile per litre ratio.
Here are some tips on how your fleet can become more fuel-efficient:
1. Vehicle maintenance
Improving the efficiency of your vehicle starts with looking after your vehicle. Regular under-the-bonnet checks can make all the difference. Making sure your tyres are in good shape and pumped up to the right pressure is also important. Overinflated or underinflated tyres can affect your fuel consumption. If you’re unsure of what you should be looking for, check your drivers manual.
2. Easy Does It
Excessive speed, harsh acceleration and braking are all things that could get you in trouble. Not only are they more likely to cause an accident, but could see your vehicle use fuel much faster. Rather than slamming on the breaks, try to lower your foot gently. Easing into a stop can help your car be more fuel-efficient and make you a safer driver. The RAC also recommend driving in as high a gear as possible while still sticking to the speed limit.
3. Momentum
Slowing down and coming to a complete stop and then having to speed up again is what uses fuel the most. Keeping the momentum of the vehicle is the best way to be more fuel-efficient, and anticipating what will happen can help with that. Driving as smoothly as possible and keeping an eye on what’s happening ahead of you will help you anticipate when you need to slow down.
4. Wind Resistance
One easy way to improve your flue economy is by making your vehicle less wind resistant. Taking off roof wracks or boxes when you’re not using them will reduce the drag on your car. This will allow you to drive smoother. According to the Energy Saving Trust, an empty roof box can add 39% drag to your vehicle.
5. AC and Heat
Using your air conditioning or heating system can eat into your fuel usage. But it’s also something easy to manage. Avoid using your AC or heating where possible.
6. Lighten the Load
Lightening the load can have a big effect on your fuel efficiency. Heavier vehicles are harder to get moving and eat up more fuel. Taking unnecessary items out of your vehicle and lightening the load is a simple way to improve your fuel efficiency. But, combining journeys can also help you improve your fuel consumption. Keeping your engine warm can improve its efficiency. So doing one long round trip rather than several smaller trips can help your engine run more efficiently and cut down on fuel.
How Can We Help?
If increasing your MPG in your fleet is a priority for your business, both our fuel cards and telematics devices provide solutions.
How to Save Fuel with Hypermiling