fleetmag.com |

Many fleets saw the logic in a solid fueling and vehicle use policy with gas at $1.49 a gallon. As gas approaches $4.00 per gallon, it’s even more important to make sure your vehicle use and fueling policies are up to date and well understood by everyone related to the fleet. A carefully planned, implemented, and enforced policy can be a company’s most effective tool to cut unnecessary fuel costs.

There are several “wins” in a comprehensive policy:

• Total lower cost of fueling.

• Driver accountability.

• Reduced liability from unauthorized vehicle use.

• Decreased energy consumption.

• Reduced carbon footprint.

• Documented “green” initiative results.

Information is the key. Make sure you have all the current data available. For example, do you know where fuel is purchased and the best available price within 3 miles of that location? Does your transaction report give you a good picture of fueling habits and trends? These fueling habits help you to develop an effective, comprehensive and environmentally friendly purchasing policy.

Make the policy very clear. “I didn’t know” is no longer an option. Employee misuse of fueling significantly declines after companies institute a fueling policy. You can immediately save money by identifying problem purchases quickly and by working with drivers to eliminate them.

Enforce the policy. A successful policy is one that is enforced. The ability to track, monitor and set limits on purchases gives constant reminders to your employees that the policy is strictly enforced. Match this with exception tracking, and you’ll know where, when and by whom the policies are being disregarded. Compliance goes way up when drivers understand the policy and the penalty for non-compliance.

Allow no exceptions. Be sure all your employees understand that non-compliance won’t be tolerated.

Tie telematics to your fuel policy. Wireless tracking systems give you up to the minute reporting on location, speed and the actual operating performance of your vehicles. With features like fuel mapping and daily best fuel price – it takes the guess work out of locating the best fuel price.

Managing fuel use is a win-win for the environment. Documenting a decrease in miles, idle time, or total fuel use is an important step in a “green” policy. Your company/fleet may not have one yet – but consumers are asking and many companies are answering already.

Motivate your people to comply. Make a company wide goal to target. Establish a reward for reaching the goal.

Communicate early and often. Be proactive and communicate your policy to the whole company. The benefits of this policy go beyond cost cutting -- every one must understand the policy and what’s expected of them.