A commercial fleet is a group of vehicles that are built for business purposes, and it’s a critical component of a business’s transportation plan, with the use of trucking software as well as other vehicle software to help with transportation. From delivery trucks to work vans to police cruisers, a commercial fleet provides the backbone of any company’s transportation activities.
For many businesses, commercial fleets are a great way to get the most out of their budgets and provide employees with a great way to get to and from work. However, not all businesses are created equal, and it’s important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of using a fleet of cars, trucks, or buses based on your individual needs.
Why Do We Need To Track The Fleet’s Fuel Costs?
With fuel prices continuing to rise, the commercial fleet industry is looking for ways to cut down on fuel costs. Fuel costs are one of the biggest costs faced by fleet owners and operators, which is why so many people are looking for ways to cut them down. Fuel Manager! Fuel Manager is a free management software that reduces fuel costs by tracking fuel costs and fuel consumption and is a great way to manage your fleet fuel.
The fuel costs of commercial vehicles are much higher than the fuel costs of private vehicles. This is why it is important to keep track of the commercial fleet’s fuel costs. This will allow you to make decisions about the vehicles in your fleet that will save you money. Also, it can help you determine which vehicles are the most efficient, determine whether buying or leasing is better for your company, and even help you set company vehicle policies concerning fuel efficiency.
Keeping track of the fuel costs of a commercial fleet using an efficient fleet or Freight Management System is important for many reasons. The first and most obvious reason that fuel costs are important is the money involved. Few people like to spend more money than they have to, but fuel costs are one of those expenses that are out of our control.
There are several factors that affect a vehicle’s fuel consumption, such as the engine size and weight of the vehicle, the fuel type, and the vehicle’s maintenance schedule. If you keep a close eye on these factors, you will be able to work out where you are spending more fuel than you need to.
Tracking the Costs
The average cost of fuel has been steadily increasing in the past decade. As a result, a lot of business owners are now seeking ways to save on fuel costs. One way to do this is to pay attention to how and when you are fueling your vehicles. Fuel costs in the commercial fleet industry can be tricky to track, as there are so many variables at play that affect the final cost. You need to take into account the
- The cost of the fuel itself
- The price at which you bought the fuel
- Your company’s tax rate
- The miles that you drove
- The number of miles you are reimbursed for
If you’re a fleet manager, it’s a good idea to track all of these factors separately, so you can see what is driving your fuel costs up and where you could cut back. Also, you can also consider getting a handle on how much you are currently spending on fuel. If you know your average fuel costs per mile, it will make it a lot easier to compare this with the costs you are likely to incur for the next trip.
How Do Fleet Drivers Do It?
Commercial fleet drivers like the ones at CSA Transportation (or similar service providers), for instance, can track their fuel costs by using their vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) port to read data from the computer that runs their vehicle. The OBD-II port is located under the dashboard on the driver’s side of the vehicle, and a small tool is required to access it. The OBD-II port is not the same as the port your mechanic uses to check the computer to see if there are any engine or transmission problems. Fleet management and telematics prove essential when a vehicle is diagnosed for any problems. It is essential that these kind of diagnostics occur regularly so that the company does not have any incidents that involve their trucks (and by incident, we mean accidents). In the event of an accident, they could get in trouble if the aggrieved party does consult experts like a Missouri trucking accident law firm and situations like this, might not be desirable for a company.
Conclusion
Fleet management is one of the most important and undervalued aspects of trucking. If you have a good handle on the cost of your fuel, you will be better equipped to figure out what your costs are and the best way to manage the fuel you are using. It’s key to know what you are using, how you are using it, and what you need to spend. It’s a good idea to print out a copy of this chart and keep it handy. This will help you keep track of how much is being spent and where it is going.