Have you heard? According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), despite advances in alternative fuels, fuel costs have once again become one of the highest costs trucking companies must deal with. Looking at ATRI’s data accounting fuel usage between 2011 and 2019, the fleet average range was between 34 cents and 65 cents per mile.
But what about new trucks and new fuel saving technologies? Even with advanced vehicles and technologies in the marketplace, in 2019, according to ATRI data, the average big rig still only came in at 6.5 miles per gallon. How could it be that the fuel use average is still so low, even in 2021? While it may seem like fleets simply need to dump some dollars into fleet upgrades, there is more to it than that. Fleet managers also need to employ more effective tactics.
Is 10 MPG Possible in the Real World?
It is an appropriate question. As fleets and OEMs struggle to wring the most fuel savings out of their equipment, some wonder, is 10 mpg possible in the real world? It is. Consider that just four years ago the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) used commercially available equipment and technologies to prove that a rig can get 10 mpg in the real world.
Now just translate the kind of performance into everyday use. Currently, there are approximately 1.7 million tractor trailers operating on North American roads. If each one of those trucks met a 10-mpg threshold, you would be looking at an annual savings of $24.3 billion per year. It would also prevent nearly 100 million tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
Two years after the initial NACFE run, they completed another fuel saving operation where participating trucks achieved a cumulative 8.3 mpg. Even at this level, you would be looking at nearly $10 billion a year in savings and over 30 million tons of CO2 prevented. These are not small numbers. Even minor changes can have big impacts.
The key is to maximize your fleet’s fuel economy, but that is easier said than done. Finding inobtrusive ways of doing this can sometimes be a complicated task. Fortunately, we have some top tips for you on how to increase your fleet’s fuel efficiency in the 21st Century.
New Trucks Are the Key
Is your fleet taking full advantage of new truck advances? Consider that every time an OEM conceptualizes and creates a new rig, that rig is going to be more fuel efficient than the one that came before it. The key is to ensure you keep a “young” fleet. And consider that keeping a young fleet has multiple benefits outside of just saving fuel.
Keeping your rigs refreshed will also ensure your truck drivers operate with safe, reliable, modern equipment that won’t break down or leave them in danger. And you can usually tell when it is time for a rig refresh because the wear and tear on your current rigs will create a precipitous drop in fuel economy.
Some fleets go so far as to govern their trucks at 65 mph and use specialized fuel optimization programs. Others offer heavy-haul shipping options that allow them to reduce the number of trucks they use to haul the same number of loads. Using this strategy allows fleet managers to meet two goals, one to reduce emissions and the other to save on fuel costs.
Another area fleet managers can look to is intelligent powertrains. New trucks often come with electronics that allow for fleets to fine-tune their vehicle’s performance. This way, the vehicle itself can intrinsically take advantage of engine and transmission optimization. Many of these trucks can even be equipped with up and downhill programming to optimize fuel burn depending on the state of operation.
Conduct Your Proper Due Diligence
The last thing a responsible fleet or procurement manager should do is invest in a vehicle or fleet of vehicles without conducting proper due diligence. There are a lot of options available when it comes to fuel economy. From advances in aerodynamics accessories to rolling efficiency, more efficient tires, and even new axle technology that disengages one of the two axles at highway speeds, there is a lot to consider.
Have you considered all available resources? Such publications like the Confidence Reports from NACFE or the regular releases that come from the ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council are great resources to help fleets navigate new purchases, new technologies, or new methodologies in increasing overall fuel efficiency.
Larger fleets may benefit from interacting directly with OEMs on field testing new technologies. But smaller fleets are not without tools. They should push their dealers to keep them up to date on latest technologies and deals. Most fleets have long-term relationships with their dealers, so it is in their benefit to fall back on those relationships to make the right purchasing decision.
Many OEMs are focusing on maximizing technologies that their suppliers have singled out as critical to increasing fuel efficiency. Many are also turning to trailers as a potential way to increase fuel efficiency. Fuel-saving specs need to be tailored to the type of trailer as well as the type of truck pulling the trailer.
Consider Your Return on Investment
When you are considering technologies to help you save on fuel costs, make sure you take a close look on the return on investment you will get out of making those purchases. Also consider what your capital requirements are to purchase and maintain these technologies. But how exactly do you do that?
To calculate ROI properly you need to determine the useful life of the equipment you are considering for purchase. A helpful tip when you make that determination is to be conservative in your estimates. Make sure you underestimate potential savings, so you aren’t surprised if your estimates are off, even just a little bit.
Make sure you document our assumption and keep track of how it plays out. You want to look for any new investments to pay for themselves by the time they reach 50% of their natural life. Just make sure you test your specific application. And don’t just assume a new technology is good because a supplier or dealer mentions it to you. Make sure you conduct track testing violation.
When going through a testing regime, you need to make sure it is as real world as possible. You may even want to hire a third-party testing firm so that you can be assured you are having an independent analysis. Moving too soon and making a final decision too quickly can result in losses.
Fuel Saving Innovations For Your Vehicles
Remember, fuel saving specs and equipment may work for one application but not for another. You need to make sure you are coming up with custom solutions depending on the load you are hauling and the route you take. Have you taken a holistic look at how the vehicle will be used? Whether you are linehaul, flatbed, or hazardous, you must look at your operation before settling on new fuel-saving technologies.
One common way to save fuel through assessing application is through weight reduction. Is it possible to spec day cabs instead of sleeper cabs? Would it be more cost effective to put truck drivers up in hotels instead of forcing them to sleep in their cabs? You may wind up doing more than just saving fuel, you could increase your truck driver satisfaction and retention.
Light weighting your vehicles may be one of the most productive things you can do to increase your fuel efficiency. Whether it be choosing wide-base single tires, lift-axles tractors, or lighter cabs, put together, these types of changes make a big impact on fuel savings.
In the end, fleet managers must realize that what might be advantageous to a tractor in a linehaul operation may be a hindrance in a pick-up and delivery operation. There are very few advantages to aerodynamic packages, for example, if your operation is running low-mileage, urban, or slow speed applications.
Finally, make sure you pay close attention to what your truck drivers are saying. You will never get any of the intended benefits from new technologies if your truck drivers have not bought into them. Since your truck drivers are in control of the vehicles, they control fuel consumption. Ensure you have their buy-in and you will set yourself up for success.