As VAT and fuel duty increased in January, so fleet operators were once again faced with ever higher monthly petrol prices, the ramped up average price of diesel nearly reaching 2008 levels, the highest recorded. The current cost of a barrel of oil, which looks to be tipping $100 a barrel, has pushed the price of a litre of unleaded to 128.3 pence and diesel to 132.8 pence.
Worse is forecast to come as motoring organisations warn that prices could rise even higher to ?1.75 a litre, bringing the ?8 gallon to the forecourts. As a result of the escalating cost of keeping vehicles on the road in the ongoing uncertain economy, the UK is now ranked as having the fifth highest unleaded, and the second highest diesel price, in Europe.
Getting through the next 2 - 5 years or more of a constantly faltering post recession recovery is going to be very reliant on slashing running costs, from SME to large size fleet operating businesses. Without doubt, considering the long-established, proven technology of vehicle tracking will be seen as a viable step to enable fleet owners and their operations managers to constantly monitor for location and driving behaviour update reporting.
According to traffic flow research, the ideal speed for the average fleet vehicle is 50-55mph. Studies have shown that while 73 per cent power is required to reach a cruising speed of 60mph, a 159 per cent power increase is needed to obtain a 70mph cruising speed.
Each mile per hour above 50 mph increases fuel consumption by 1.5 per cent so that a heavy vehicle with an average 8 mpg at 50 mph, will rise to an average 6.8 mpg at 60 mph. In addition, continual high speeds raise tyre temperatures, causing rapid rubber deterioration, which double at road speeds of 70 mph or more.
Besides tyre wear, higher speeds affect the working span of a vehicle's gears, bearings, clutches, suspension, etc. Just by increasing vehicle speed from 50 mph to 60 mph, maintenance costs can rise by nearly 40 per cent, and at 70 mph, the cost increases by 80 per cent.
Twice as much damage as driving can be caused by just one hour of idling, which is estimated as being equivalent to between 80 and 120 minutes of driving time. For an average fleet heavy goods vehicle, the annual fuel loss from excessive idling can add up to a staggering 800 gallons.
The deployment of a real time vehicle tracking system not only provides the possibility to monitor and implement best possible fuel efficiency, but also the quickest routes according to changing traffic movement and conditions can be instantly implemented. Improving vehicle driving behaviour supplies higher standards of customer experience through better delivery times and response to altered customer requirements as they occur.
Consequently, by the avoidance traffic congestion, streamlined deliveries, reconfigured routes, calling nearest vehicle available or even restricting the number of left hand turns, feedback has consistently found that small fleet businesses had seen at least 15 to 25 per cent efficiency increase in the number of individual daily job orders completed after two years of investment in a fully integrated fleet gps tracking system within a company infrastructure and daily operations.
http://www.cybit.co.uk/ Cybit are the UK's leading Fleet Tracking and Telematics Service Provider, delivering an extensive portfolio of advanced vehicle tracking solutions to over 2,000 enterprises across a wide-range of industries. Cybit's dedicated professional services team can provide guidance to legislation compliance, Human Resource Management and Duty of Care best practice.
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