Sustainability has become an increasingly important priority for individuals and businesses alike, and eco-friendly driving is a major way businesses are able to become more sustainable. Eco driving involves adopting friendly driving techniques which can help to reduce fuel consumption, cut down on carbon emissions, and contribute to a greener and more sustainable business model.
In this blog, we’ll be exploring the different ways you can implement eco driving practices within your fleet, as well as how vehicle tracking systems can assist in promoting a greener fleet management process while optimising driver efficiency.
Smooth acceleration and braking
Aggressive acceleration, harsh braking, and rapid lane changes can significantly increase fuel consumption and the resulting carbon emissions while driving. To avoid this, make sure your drivers consistently practise smooth and gradual acceleration. They should also be able to anticipate traffic conditions and brake early and smoothly, which helps to avoid unnecessary speed fluctuations when they need to accelerate.
By ensuring that your drivers are adopting a calm and steady approach to driving, you’ll be able to maximise fuel efficiency while also reducing the wear and tear on your vehicles’ brakes.
Maintain proper tyre pressure
Proper tyre maintenance is important for maintaining both safety and fuel efficiency. Under-inflated tyres create rolling resistance, which requires more energy – and therefore more fuel – to move your vehicle. You can avoid this by regularly checking your vehicles’ tyre pressure, ensuring that they are always inflated according to the manufacturer’s recommended levels. Regular tyre pressure checks can help you save fuel, improve the longevity of your tyres, and keep your drivers and community safe.
Reduce idling time
Leaving a vehicle’s engine idling leads to unnecessary fuel consumption which then contributes to air pollution due to the harmful emissions. If your drivers anticipate a prolonged stop, typically longer than a minute, make sure they are turning the engines off. This includes areas such as railroad crossings and anywhere with traffic congestion. By restarting the vehicle once traffic starts moving again, your fleet will see a drop in fuel consumption which will help to reduce carbon emissions.
Minimise vehicle load
Another way to practise fuel-efficient driving is to reduce the amount of load your vehicles carry. Unnecessary weight in your vehicles will put additional strain on its engine, which will eventually lead to increased fuel consumption. To minimise this, ensure that your team of drivers clears out any excess items, cargo, or equipment from the vehicles. The lighter your vehicle is, the less fuel it will need to operate, which will help contribute to greener driving practices while also helping your business save on fuel costs.
Plan efficient routes
Optimising your drivers’ routes can also help to reduce fuel costs and consumption. Route optimisation involves planning ahead so that drivers and fleet managers are able to anticipate any congestion or traffic blocks along the way and reroute accordingly. By doing so, you’ll be able to plan out short journeys that don’t consume as much fuel, helping to maintain a system that’s simultaneously fuel, cost, and time efficient.
Creating a more eco-friendly driving system can be tricky at the start, but luckily there are tools available that can help to optimise this process, including Crystal Ball’s fleet tracking system.
How can vehicle tracking help with eco driving?
Fleet managers can reap a variety of benefits from using vehicle tracking, especially if they’re looking to establish greener eco driving practices.
Performance monitoring
Through vehicle tracking, you’ll be able to monitor your drivers’ performance and driving habits, which can then help to monitor fuel consumption. Fleet tracking systems offer real-time data that covers speed, how your drivers accelerate, and driving patterns, as well as estimates about engine performance and fuel usage. With our driver behaviour monitoring add-on, you can even rank drivers in terms of how efficient their driving style is, helping you incentivise fuel-conscious driving and identify low-performing team members who may need additional training.
By tracking your fleet’s performance, you’ll be able to identify any inefficient areas and make more informed, data-driven decisions to help improve fuel economy and cut down on carbon emissions. Fleet managers can also continuously track their fleet’s progress to ensure they’re making all the necessary adjustments needed to establish eco driving practices.
Route optimisation
Fleet tracking will also be able to help you effectively optimise driver routes, which can lead to more efficient fuel usage. The tracking system uses GPS tracking units that are installed in each vehicle, which then transmits their GPS location and generates it into accessible tracking information.
With this data, you can identify the most efficient and inefficient routes your drivers are currently taking and reroute them accordingly. In doing so, you’ll be reducing idling time and fuel wastage by choosing greener and more fuel efficient routes.
Vehicle maintenance
Properly maintained vehicles are less likely to waste fuel, and with Crystal Ball’s vehicle trackers you’ll be able to view real-time metrics such as braking and mileage that will help you keep your vehicles in working condition. This way, the tracking reports can provide insight into the condition of your vehicles, helping you to make more informed maintenance decisions that will maintain a high performing and greener fleet.
Eco driving is an excellent sustainable practice that can help companies reduce both carbon emissions and operating costs. By combining the above eco driving tips with the use of vehicle trackers, you’ll be able to maintain an efficient driving system for your business while also helping to preserve the environment for future generations.
If you’re thinking of implementing vehicle tracking into your fleet, Crystal Ball is here to help. Contact our team of experts today or request a demo and we will help you find the best vehicle tracking solution for your company.