Travel and transport

Overview

Operating a fleet of cars, vans or lorries represents a significant financial cost against overheads. Fuel costs are an important part of the financial equation, and can account for 30% or more of the costs of running a goods vehicle fleet. Attention to good fuel management can provide lower costs, improved efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of fleet transport activities.

Hints and tips

Quick hits in achieving lower fuel costs are:

Managing fuel consumption through fuel monitoring and targeting
Planning journeys to make best operational use of vehicles
Reducing aerodynamic drag losses – especially for heavy goods vehicle
Correct tyre management
Regular inspection and preventative maintenance
Using environmentally friendly vehicles
Adopting alternative fuels

Links to other resources

Various free information and tools at Imise Ltd
Freight best practice programme which offers direct advice to goods fleet operators including fuel management guidance;
Energy Saving Trust transport team, which covers business transport and travel, mainly for operators of car and van fleets;
Workplace travel plans (copies available from www.travelplans.org.uk), which offers a free CD with a 'Travel Plan Pack for Employers' and a 'Travel Plan Evaluation Tool for Developers'.
The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership promotes the shift to clean low carbon vehicles and fuels.
The Vehicle Certification Agency publishes information on New Car Fuel Consumption and Exhaust Emissions.
Carplus is the UK charity promoting responsible car use.

This page was prepared by Dr David Martin, Ecovector Consulting (view details) who has also provided a more detailed article on energy efficiency in transport and another on transport biofuels.

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