Fuel management – is it your priority?

There are many costs involved in running a fleet business, ranging from vehicles, drivers, tyres, maintenance, finance and insurance. Fuel tends to be the largest expense for many fleets and with the constant fluctuation in fuel prices, it is very difficult for businesses to optimise costs and productivity.

Fleet businesses operate in a competitive industry, where operating costs are constantly scrutinised. When fleet operators are well equipped to manage their mobile assets and take control of driver behaviour, the result is a guaranteed increase in profitability. The key to success is improving efficiencies and productivity, and one of the most effective ways to do so is through fuel management.

The average large fleet’s fuel costs account for approximately 40 percent of the fleet’s total operating costs. As fuel is key to the fleet sector – to remain competitive, fleet operators need to implement solutions that will assist in managing fuel. A common reality in the South African environment is the increase in fuel theft, which not only impacts the profitability of the business, but also limits the ability to compete in a demanding market.

Two critical areas of fuel management that businesses should prioritise are fuel control and fuel security. By utilising the latest, innovative technologies, these areas will not only be easy to identify and manage, but will result in a significant saving on fleet costs.

• Fuel Control

A properly implemented fleet management solution that monitors and improves driver behaviour is imperative to reduce fuel consumption. By lessening poor driving habits like harsh acceleration, speeding and excessive idling, fuel consumption is reduced significantly. Technology plays a key role in fuel control and reducing risk. The state-of-the-art fleet management solutions from Mix Telematics have proved to bring about an average of ten percent savings on fuel costs – often equating to millions of rands in savings for customers. Considering the rising cost of fuel, these savings are critical to remain competitive.

• Fuel Security

Fuel is becoming more of a commodity in South Africa due to its rising cost. There is an increase in fuel theft and if businesses wish to remain profitable, serious measures need to be put in place to stop the incidents of fuel theft. Fleet operators can lose as much as ten litres of fuel per truck per day due to syphoning and skimming, which could easily amount to over R30 000 per year per vehicle.

Fleet owners should invest in effective fuel security solutions that have been proved to protect fuel and profits. MiX Telematics Africa has extended its fleet management solutions by providing MiX Fuel Security solutions to fleet operators in South Africa.

MiX Fuel Security devices provide a solution that prevents syphoning and skimming. With proven savings achieved of up to ten percent of the total fuel cost, return on investment after fitting a MiX Fuel Security device is achieved within six weeks. With simple installation that only takes a few minutes, MiX Fuel Security solutions are highly effective in resolving any fleet’s fuel security concerns.

Fuel management is critical to the bottom line of any business. By making use of end-to-end safety and security solutions with the latest technology, fleet operators can increase profitability and competitiveness. When it comes to fuel, it is key to remember that it is not only about managing the theft thereof, but also optimising usage by implementing technologies that monitor and improve driver behaviour – which is one of the best ways to reduce fuel consumption. Savings like this are critical when considering the rising cost of fuel and the highly competitive climate in which fleet businesses operate.

Fuel management is critical to the bottom line of any business. By making use of end-to-end safety and security solutions with the latest technology, fleet operators can increase profitability and competitiveness.

For more information on MiX Fuel Security devices and other MiX Telematics fleet management solutions contact fleetsa@mixtelematics.com.