Reducing the time your fleet spends idling will cut down on fuel waste. Studies suggest that cutting idle time by just 10 minutes a day can save up to a gallon of fuel each week per vehicle. In a year and across your operation, that adds up to big savings in fuel and lower fuel costs.
Excessive vehicle idling also increases emissions, adding unnecessary costs for businesses already facing a battle with fluctuating fuel prices. It's an area that customers seeking sustainable solutions will consider closely when deciding where to give their business.
Implementing idling reduction policies and investing in fuel-saving technologies will be a significant first step to making a difference to your bottom line, so the sooner you cut the engine at the lights, the better for your business and reducing your carbon footprint.
The real cost of idling in the UK
The UK is facing an air pollution and climate challenge and a large part of that negative impact is caused by excessive vehicle idling, particularly in cities and especially from vans and lorries. The economic impact of idling on fuel use is important, especially for fleet owners and businesses that depend on transport. Wasted fuel not only loses companies' money, but it also causes vehicle engine wear, increases maintenance costs and reduces their lifespan.
Environmental impact
One of the main issues is air pollution as vans and lorries emit harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) which all affect people with asthma and bronchitis. They can also lead to heart diseases.
Idling vehicles are also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions – especially carbon dioxide (CO2) – which cause the planet to heat up, leading to environmental problems.
How to prepare to reduce idle time
Gathering the right tools and then teaching drivers about the effects of their bad idling habits are good start points for launching your firm's idling strategy to reduce operating costs. It's also important to use technology to understand how and when it happens, so that drivers can make better choices while driving.
Fleet managers and drivers will also need proper tools to provide useful information about idling, driver behaviour and vehicle performance to reduce idle time. These tools will provide the data that supports your change to a cleaner, greener future.
Tools and technologies available
A strong telematics system with GPS tracking helps fleet managers and finance departments monitor and manage idle time, as well as providing real-time data on vehicle locations, engine performance and fuel consumption. Detailed reports often include insights into vehicle idle time customised to cover time frames, vehicles and drivers. This will help fleet managers find issues and track progress.
Some advanced telematics systems track drivers' behaviour including hard braking, speeding, and importantly, excessive idling. If the data confirms a lot of fuel going up in smoke, it might be worth investing in idle reduction technologies which automatically cut the engine after a set amount of time. These systems are great for vehicles that stay in one place for a long time, such as delivery lorries or vans.
It's also worth pairing the GPS and Telematics systems with a business-wide diesel fuel card to take your annual savings onto another level completely with enhanced fuel economy and better route planning.
Make sure your drivers know why
Driver training that shows the harmful effects of idling is a critical part of any fleet management idling reduction plan, so make sure you share how their actions will affect fuel consumption, emissions and the company's profits. Provide training around fuel-efficient driving to cover smooth starts and stops, keeping a steady speed and cutting out unnecessary idling. It's also a good idea to recognise and reward those drivers that show good habits when it comes to idling.
In an era where potential customers are keen to partner with sustainable and environmentally conscious businesses, cutting down idle time is not only about saving fuel and money. It is also about being a more attractive proposition in the market place – and protecting your valuable assets.
Is it damaging to keep switching your engine off?
That is actually a bit of a myth. Turning off the engines of your fleet vehicles to cut idling time is not harmful, even though many people think it is. Today’s engines are made to cope with starting and stopping often. In fact, idling for too long is worse for your van or lorry because it causes fuel to burn improperly and can lead to more engine wear in the long run.
Will reducing idle time really improve fleet efficiency?
It's incredibly important for making fleets run better. When businesses cut down on the time vehicles spend with their engines running while not moving, they can save on fuel usage and lower their operational costs and maintenance spend at the same time.
