How to Minimise Business Fuel Costs

Whether it’s distribution and deliveries or just managers and sales reps driving to meetings, fuel costs can soon stack up for your business. That’s especially true now petrol and diesel prices are at an all-time high.

If you want to reduce business fuel costs without having a drastic impact on your operations, read on for some useful ideas.

Encourage fuel-efficient driving

It sounds obvious, but all too often, businesses don’t provide advice on how people should drive to minimise the use of fuel. Without the right training, how can you expect staff to drive efficiently? Here are some simple ways to use less fuel when driving from the Energy Saving Trust:

• Drive smoothly – anticipate when you need to slow down as far ahead as you can see to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration.
• Avoid excessive speed – higher speeds use more fuel, so there really is no need to hit the top end of every speed limit.
• Minimise air condition use – don’t use your air conditioning if your car is already at a comfortable temperature.
• Avoid idling – turn off your engine if you’re going to be stationary for more than a minute.
• Reduce drag – close windows at high speeds and remove racks and roof boxes to reduce air resistance.
• Minimise weight – keep your vehicle as light as possible.

We’d also like to add your GPS to the list. Rather than sticking to what you know or following road signs, Google Maps allows you to select the most fuel-efficient route. All of these tips can transform the way your staff drive to save you big time on business fuel costs.

Embrace remote working

Most businesses allowed employees to work remotely during the pandemic. But once restrictions were lifted, they got everyone straight back to the office. That’s understandable for some professions. But ask yourself, do you need everybody on site, every day?

According to the BBC, hybrid working is the most popular option following the pandemic. It combines working from home with days in the office. If you’re covering the cost of fuel for employees, embracing hybrid working means cutting out the cost of commuting for any days they work from home.

Find the cheapest fuel for staff

Everyone wants to find the cheapest fuel to save money when they fill up. But when you know it’s getting reimbursed, you might not be quite so concerned with the price per litre.

Compare local fuel stations and supermarkets around your commercial premises and recommend that staff use them to fill up. A difference of 5 pence a litre might not seem like much, but it will soon stack up when it’s powering multiple vehicles up and down the country.

Upgrade your fleet

The single best way to reduce business fuel costs is to upgrade the cars your team are using. Spending a little more on vehicles with a better MPG rating will definitely pay off long term. However, when it comes to cost-efficiency, it’s hard to see past electric vehicles.

Electric vehicles cost an average of less than 5p per mile, compared to 12p a mile for petrol. Those figures are from EDF Energy, based on petrol costing £1.34 a litre. With prices now upwards of £1.80 a litre, there’s an even bigger gulf between the cost of electric and petrol.

Minimise your business fuel costs

Switching to electric might cost more up front, but you’ll definitely make that money back as you continue to save on fuel. Volta Compliance can make the transition to electric easier with top-quality electric charger installation for commercial premises throughout Yorkshire.

With our OZEV-approved team, you’ll even benefit from the Workplace Charging Scheme to cut the cost of your new chargers. Get started today by calling 0113 436 0402 or emailing [email protected].