The dominant expense.
WHY IT DOMINATES
Fuel is usually the largest single cost in transport.
WHAT AFFECTS CONSUMPTION
Vehicle condition Driving behaviour Load Route and terrain Idling Tyre pressure
WHY DRIVING BEHAVIOUR MATTERS SO MUCH
Consumption between careful and careless driving differs substantially.
WHAT BEHAVIOURS COST FUEL
Hard acceleration and braking Excessive speed Prolonged idling Unnecessary detours
WHAT TO MEASURE
Consumption per vehicle, per trip.
HOW
Fuel purchased against distance covered.
WHY PER VEHICLE
It reveals problems: mechanical, behavioural or theft.
WHAT FUEL THEFT LOOKS LIKE
Consumption higher than the vehicle should produce Purchases not matching distance Receipts that do not reconcile
WHAT REDUCES IT
Recording odometer at every fuel purchase Reconciling purchases against distance Fuel cards or accounts rather than cash Fitting monitoring, where justified
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
A baseline consumption for each vehicle.
WHAT TO INVESTIGATE
Any sustained deviation.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT TYRE PRESSURE
Check it regularly.
WHY
Under-inflation increases consumption and destroys tyres.
WHAT TO TRAIN DRIVERS ON
Driving that reduces consumption.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Rewarding good consumption figures.
WHY
It aligns the driver's interest with yours.
WHAT TO REVIEW
Consumption trends, monthly.
