Fuel / Fuel Management

Leading fuel card supplier, The Fuelcard Company, has further strengthened its marketing team with the appointment of Helen Alexander as Program Manager.

Seven Safety Tips to cut down fatalities on the roads this January

Fuel is one of the biggest single costs for truck operators,often accounting for more than 30% of operating costs, so its management is vital. It is made the more important by an estimated 30% over capacity in the UK haulage fleet; which in turn brings intense competition and price pressure.

Last December I had the pleasure of attending the first public hearing of a US Congressional committee set up to examine the case for introducing a fuel economy standard for new trucks, or 'heavy-duty trucks' as the Americans call them to distinguish them from the SUV type of truck that half the population drive. This would require all new lorries, to use our parlance, to achieve a minimum number of miles per gallon on a standard drive cycle.

For the vast majority of operators of commercial vehicles operating at more than 7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW) their greatest cost is that of fuel. Analysis of fuel prices over the last 10 years shows a rising trend; added to this is the recent announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the fuel duty escalator is back! With wafer-slim profit margins and rising fuel costs, hard pressed vehicle operators will need to constantly improve their fuel efficiency and reduce their fuel costs.

Running a fleet of any size can be a nightmare. Controlling fuel access, monitoring stock levels and analysis of driver/vehicle fuel usage is vital. Fueltek, the UK's market leader in fuel management technology, has produced Fuel Manager Online (FMO) fuel management software, which has been developed to put fleet managers in the driving seat.

Van buyers will find it easier to cut emissions and save money due to a new van CO2 database launched recently by Transport Secretary Lord Andrew Adonis.

The concept of reducing running costs is paramount in the minds of commercial vehicle operators. Businesses across every sector have found trading conditions tough since the global recession started to bite, but what can be done to ensure your business is lean and agile enough to manage the drop off in demand?

Transport sector jobs could be at risk because of the recent increase in fuel duty and plans to increase Government agency fees: that’s the verdict of the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which has recently launched a new postcard campaign.

Profits have never been vast in the haulage industry; the margins get narrower by the year, especially in today’s economic climate.