6 practical tips for fuel savings across your vehicle fleet

Fuel prices in the UK remain a significant and fluctuating cost for any business with a vehicle fleet. Whether you operate in installation, construction, or service and maintenance, higher fuel costs directly squeeze your profit margins.

But there is good news. With relatively simple adjustments to driving, you can achieve significant savings, and with the right technology, you can make these savings a permanent part of your operations.

1. Prevent unnecessary idling

Many commercial vehicles are left stationary with the engine running, for example, during loading, unloading, or short stops. This wastes a surprising amount of fuel. According to UK data, idling for just 10 minutes a day can waste over £120 of fuel per driver annually. The Highway Code (Rule 123) states that drivers must not leave an engine running unnecessarily on a public road, and local authorities can issue fines.

What can you do?

• Turn off the engine when stationary for more than a minute

• Make drivers aware of the costs and regulations

• Monitor idling time using telematics to identify hotspots

The result is an immediate reduction in fuel consumption and lower CO₂ emissions.

2. Anticipate the traffic

Harsh acceleration and sudden braking are among the biggest causes of unnecessary fuel consumption. In busy UK traffic, driving style is a key factor in your fuel usage.

How can your fleet's driving style be improved:

• Looking well ahead to anticipate traffic flow

• Easing off the accelerator early for junctions and traffic lights

• Minimising abrupt braking and harsh accelerating

The result is not just lower fuel consumption (with potential savings of up to 20%), but also less wear and tear on brakes and tyres, and a safer, more comfortable driving experience.

3. Check your tyre pressure

According to UK Department for Transport data, correctly inflated tyres can improve fuel economy by up to 3%.

• Check tyre pressure at least once a month when the tyres are cold

• Pay extra attention to pressure before long journeys or when carrying heavy loads

The result is direct fuel savings and a longer lifespan for your tyres.

4. Limit unnecessary weight and drag

Many commercial vehicles serve as mobile storage units. Extra weight means higher fuel consumption; every extra 50kg can increase fuel use by 1-2%. Aerodynamic drag from roof furniture is also a major factor.

Optimisation tips:

• Remove unused materials and tools from vehicles daily

• Periodically evaluate the standard load in each van

• Remove roof racks and boxes when not in use. An empty roof rack can add around 7% to fuel consumption at motorway speeds

The result is lower fuel costs without any financial investment.

5. Optimise your route planning

Efficient route planning prevents unnecessary miles, time, and fuel. Using GPS and telematics to plan routes avoids traffic hotspots and ensures the closest vehicle is sent to the next job.

What can you do?

• Plan routes in advance and group appointments geographically

• Use real-time traffic information to avoid delays

• Analyse driven routes to identify and correct inefficiencies

The result is fewer miles driven, lower fuel costs, and higher productivity per vehicle.

6. Fuel savings in your fleet start with insight

The biggest savings are achieved when you measure performance and actively manage improvement. Without data, optimisation remains guesswork. Many UK businesses use telematics to gain insight into:

• Fuel consumption per vehicle

• Idling hotspots

• Driver behaviour (speeding, braking, acceleration)

• Inefficient routes

With data, you can guide behaviour, analyse costs, and plan more efficiently, leading to structural fuel savings and lower operational costs.

Make fuel savings structural with ABAX

A few tips help, but without insight, it's just a collection of one-off improvements.

With a telematics system like ABAX, you get:

• Real-time vehicle tracking: fewer unnecessary miles

• Driving behaviour analysis: encourage economical driving

• Automated reporting: discover immediate saving opportunities

• CO₂ insights: support your ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. While the EU's CSRD doesn't apply directly to most UK firms, the UK is creating its own Sustainability Disclosure Standards (UK SDS), making emissions tracking increasingly important.

Smart driving is instant saving

Saving fuel in your fleet doesn't have to be complicated. With the right combination of driving behaviour, awareness, and data, you can achieve results quickly. Discover what ABAX can do for your fleet.