Automotive Journal

Eco-Driving

A friend of mine has been given the task of saving money by reducing his companies transport expenses. The business operates a fleet of vans and which are essential for their ongoing success. So my friend has adopted a two pronged approach to meeting this requirement. He’s been warned that if the company can’t make savings on their transport costs then they’ll be likely to make some people redundant, so he is under some pressure.

Firstly, he is ensuring that all newly acquired vehicles are on van lease contracts. Almost unbelievably the company has not, until now, been leasing their vans, instead opting to buy them outright sometimes using bank loans to fund the purchase. The known monthly van lease payments make financial planning much simpler and the headaches that they have previously had when disposing of their old used vans are completely removed.

Secondly he has introduced the concept of eco-driving to his van drivers. Most had never even heard of the term and had no idea what it meant. The eco-driving steps he has taken include:

1. Removing all unnecessary weight from all company vans
2. Regularly checking and verifying that van tyre pressures are at optimum settings
3. Ensuring that all vans are in tip top condition (he has negotiated to replace vans with his leasing company every 2 years)
4. Instructing drivers in reading the road ahead and slowing their vans using the engine rather than the brakes
5. Encouraging drivers to drive within speed limits by ensuring they have plenty of time to make their deliveries
6. Reduce the time that vans are idling by telling drivers to carry out their initial checks before starting their engines and to turn them off when they are sat in queues of traffic.

The company van drivers have welcomed the new approach as they are getting to drive far better quality vehicles and they are far less pressurised to drive fast to make their deliveries. Early indications are good and its looking like he is on target to make some significant fuel cost savings over the coming months and hopefully will avoid those redundancies.

BTW – Leasing isn’t only good for businesses. You too can make some significant savings, and get to drive the car that you want, using personal car leasing.

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