Automotive Business Magazine – Q3 2026 – Digital edition - Flipbook - Page 56
OPI N I O N
FLEET
Controlling the
controllables
→ Simon Staton is client management director at Venson Automotive Solutions
F
uel prices remain unstable
following ongoing geopolitical
tensions, including the Iran
conflict, placing growing
pressure on fleet operators.
In fact, UK drivers have paid
£1.7bn more for petrol and
diesel in the first 100 days of
the conflict, underlining the
scale of the challenge facing fleets,
according to the Energy & Climate
Intelligence Unit (ECIU).
Despite the recent extension of the 5p
fuel duty cut, fleets face rising fuel bills,
so it is worth revisiting practical steps
that can be taken to reduce consumption
and help drive down costs. Simple
improvements in driving behaviour, better
journey planning, proactive maintenance,
and increasing vehicle efficiency could all
help cut fuel use by up to 10%.
Industry under pressure
While fuel-saving strategies vary
depending on fleet type and operational
demands, there are core principles that
apply across both car and van fleets.
The first priority is to go back to
basics and ensure vehicles are properly
maintained. Regular servicing is already
a must, but encouraging fleet drivers to
check tyre pressure more often is also
critical, as correct tyre pressures alone
can improve fuel efficiency by 5% to 10%.
Maximising the use of today’s vehicle
technology is increasingly important, too.
Telematics systems provide significant
opportunities for savings by helping
fleet drivers to optimise routes, reduce
congestion-related delays, and improve
driving with ADAS. Telematics providers
suggest that well-implemented systems
can guarantee fuel savings of 10%.
Regular driver training and risk
management programmes can help
correct any poor habits, while refresher
training ensures improvements are
maintained over time. Additionally, now
is the prime time for fleet operators to
56
AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS
Q3 2026
issue reminders to drivers on the impact
economical driving can have on reducing
fuel consumption.
For instance, anticipating the road and
road users as far ahead as possible will
contribute to smooth driving, and avoid
unnecessary acceleration and braking,
which in turn helps to lower consumption.
With fuel prices
fluctuating, some
fleet operators are
now considering
switching to more
efficient vehicles or
accelerating the move
to electric vehicles.
However, it is worth
remembering that
vehicle choice alone
will not guarantee
savings. Indeed,
efficiency gains can
be quickly undermined
if vehicles are poorly
specified or not used
appropriately. After
all, real-world savings
depend heavily on
matching the right
vehicle to the right task.
Additionally, if fleets are considering
electrification due to inflated petrol or
diesel costs, decisions should always be
based on total cost of ownership (TCO),
charging infrastructure availability, and
operational suitability, rather than fuel
prices alone.
Telematics
providers
suggest
that wellimplemented
systems can
guarantee fuel
savings of 10%”
Industry under pressure
Fuel price instability is a big issue for
all fleets of all sizes. With reports of
fuel bills for medium-sized hauliers
increasing by £100,000 in two months, it
is easy to see how worrying the situation
is for businesses. In tough times like this,
fleet operators who go back to basics,
getting the fundamentals right, can help
control costs in a world that is feeling
increasingly out of control.
