Fuel is one of the most significant expenses for businesses that use a fleet of vehicles. With the rise of fuel costs and concerns about carbon emissions, fleet owners need to increase their fuel efficiency.
As per a report published by the NITI Aayog, fuel expenses account for 70% of the total expenses for owning a 31-tonne truck which has been purchased in 2019. As a transport service provider, you would know better. The cost of fuel undoubtedly makes for the maximum expenditure when you are running a transport and shipping company.
And when you have an entire fleet of vehicles to manage, cutting down on fuel costs can make a significant impact on your expenses. Fuel efficiency is the way to go. But, how do you cut down on your fuel expenses? The answer is – GPS fleet tracking. If you have been using GPS for fleet management, you should optimise its usage and bring down your fuel costs. In this blog, we will tell you how you can save up on your fuel and use it more efficiently with the help of this powerful tool called – GPS fleet tracking. So, let’s get started!
What Is GPS Fleet Tracking?
GPS fleet tracking is a system to manage and monitor a fleet of vehicles using the GPS system. It helps you in keeping a check on the activity of both the vehicles and the drivers.
GPS fleet tracking collects data from vehicles using telematics technology. This data provides real-time information on the vehicle and its movement, ensuring that the owner stays updated.
Mr Gupta has been in the business of transport and logistics for 8 years now. Although the company is profitable, he hasn’t been able to realise his business goals of expanding. When he newly installed a GPS system in his fleet, he was surprised at the improved efficiency and productivity. With GPS fleet tracking, he could make strategic decisions and operate better. Every time his fleet was out to deliver a consignment, he knew where the vehicles were, what time they were able to provide the shipments, and which vehicle was available to be dispatched for the next task. Needless to say, he earned more profits, too, as he could complete more assignments and reduce his fuel expenses.
How Can GPS Fleet Tracking Increase Fuel Efficiency?
So now you know what a GPS system is and how it gives real-time data. But how is GPS related to increased fuel efficiency? Let us explain this by going back to the case study of Mr Gupta.
As we have seen in Mr Gupta’s case, GPS fleet tracking has multiple benefits that lead him to one outcome – streamlined and cost-effective business. Let’s direct our attention to the different ways in which GPS helped him in saving fuel:
Optimised routing: By tracking each vehicle’s location and movement, you can monitor traffic patterns and adjust the route accordingly. Hence, the drivers take the most efficient route possible, reducing unnecessary mileage, and thereby decreasing fuel consumption. Moreover, by reducing the time spent on the road, the risk of accidents is also reduced, further contributing to cost savings.
Reduced idling time: Idling is one of the most significant contributors to fuel wastage in a fleet of vehicles. By using GPS fleet tracking, you can keep a check on the idling time of a vehicle and take steps to reduce it. Once you reduce the idling time of your vehicle, you significantly decrease fuel consumption and save money on fuel costs.
Monitoring rash driving: Truck drivers are known for their over-speeding and rash driving on highways – factors that can also lead to increased fuel consumption. Driver behaviour and driving patterns can be checked using a GPS system. You can then ask your drivers to drive within the speed limit as a correctional measure, thereby improving safety and saving fuel.
Vehicle maintenance alerts: One of the many advantages of GPS fleet tracking is the timely alerts for vehicle maintenance. The system can caution against maintenance or servicing schedules, reminding you of oil changes, or tire rotations, as and when required. Needless to say, a well-maintained vehicle improves fuel efficiency.
Check fuel consumption: Technological advancement has blessed the transport and logistics sector with fuel sensors. Some GPS systems may have in-built sensors that can provide information on fuel consumption. With regular fuel consumption data, it gets easier to detect usage patterns. Hence, you can detect the loopholes and eliminate them to improve your fuel efficiency.
Bottomline
We are sure this blog must have helped you understand the importance of GPS for fleet management. With such varied advantages, all working toward the common goal of optimising fleet performance, many shipping company providers are installing GPS systems in their vehicles. If you too want to manage and operate your fleet more effectively, it is advisable that you have a GPS system in place. It can help you drastically save up on fuel, and lower your overall expenses.
For any further queries pertaining to the transport and logistics sector, you can get in touch with our team at Vahak. As an online community of transporters and truck drivers, Vahak brings you a one-stop platform for all logistics concerts. Be it booking a vehicle for your load or finding a load for your vehicle, there is something for everyone.
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