Fleet management is an activity that requires a certain amount of knowledge. The fact is that the people in charge of managing a company’s fleet often have other tasks in addition to the company. Indeed, not all companies employ a fleet manager and sometimes prefer to delegate this mission to an employee who already occupies other roles within the company. Here are 5 effective ways to improve fleet management, regardless of size.
1 – the first 4 tips to follow in order to optimise your fleet management
Whether your fleet comprises 5 or 500 vehicles, fleet management is no easy task. That’s why we have selected 5 tips to follow to optimise your fleet management.
1 Maintain your vehicles
A company vehicle fleet comprises on average between 5 and 200 vehicles, however, maintenance is important regardless of the size of your fleet. It optimises the life of vehicles, maximises their resale price and ensures driver safety. Vehicles that are not or poorly maintained have a higher than average risk of accidents or breakdowns. Compared to the costs of rigorous maintenance, the costs generated by breakdowns and accidents are much higher!
A poorly maintained vehicle will generate additional direct and indirect costs that may include, among other things, an increase in the cost of insurance or a significant decrease in the resale price. In addition, a vehicle taken away for repair is likely to directly affect your company’s operational productivity. Finally, think about your brand image, which can be tarnished by poorly maintained vehicles or which are the cause of accidents. Don’t forget to keep a detailed history of the maintenance and repair operations carried out on the vehicle, this history will be a guarantee of quality when the vehicle is resold. The use of fleet management software will allow you to implement this rigorous monitoring.
As a fleet manager, remember that a well-maintained fleet is less likely to have unpleasant surprises in store for you. Finally, your fleet will convey a successful image of your company and will not affect its productivity.
2 Raise awareness and educate drivers
To ensure optimal fleet management, each driver must know how to take care of his vehicle and how to identify anomalies before they turn into costly failures. Simple little habits for drivers to adopt can result in big savings for a fleet of tens or hundreds of vehicles. For example, regular checking of oil and coolant levels saves fuel. Encouraging drivers to notify the fleet manager or department concerned when they notice an unusual light on the dashboard, when their vehicle makes an unusual noise or when it shows signs of advanced wear (pneumatic) also results in savings.
You can also raise awareness or train drivers in eco-driving. The application of this economical driving style can reduce the fuel rating per vehicle by 10%. Finally, it is obvious that a nervous and sporty driving style accelerates the general wear and tear of the vehicle (tires, brakes…) unlike eco-driving.
3 Limit the number of your suppliers
Reducing the number of your suppliers will allow you to gain negotiating power with those with whom you will work. You can entrust them with larger volumes, so ask for more favorable terms for your purchasing policy. This advice applies as much to the purchase of vehicles and consumables as to the maintenance of your fleet. Compete and take the time to compare the offers of your potential suppliers.
4 Control fuel costs
Fuel represents between 15% and 30% of the total expenses generated by a vehicle fleet. There are several solutions to be implemented in order to limit its impact and avoid abuses.
- The first factor you can act on to reduce your fuel costs is the vehicle itself. When renewing your fleet, pay attention to the consumption of the model you are going to buy and the fuel with which it operates.
- The second factor to be monitored is the use of fuel cards. The use of a computer system (telematics coupled with software) can allow you to control consumption and mileage in real time, which will allow you to notice if there are any inconsistencies. Ensure that drivers are aware of your company’s policy regarding the use of fuel cards (no loan, no use for a vehicle other than the company’s…)
- You can also detect inappropriate driving behavior, such as speeding for example, using geolocation and telematics tools.
- Optimal tire pressure saves you up to 3.5% in fuel costs
2 – Our 5th tip: optimal fleet management through IT
The use of software is necessary to access optimal and rigorous fleet management. The fleet management software will allow you to centralise and analyse all your fleet data.
Monitoring the maintenance and upkeep of your fleet will be much easier and more efficient if you can rely on dedicated software. Alert planning and maintenance history for each of your vehicles are important tools for a fleet manager.
Myrentcar car rental software is a 100% web-based solution that allows you to manage all aspects of vehicle fleet management. The myrentcar solution has been in existence for more than 30 years, making it a reference in the rental and fleet management sector. It is an ergonomic and user-friendly tool, easy to set up and fully customisable to suit your needs. Usable on a PC or tablet, it is a mobile tool, usable anywhere at any time. As a fleet manager, adopting myrentcar is more than just a purchase—it is an investment that will allow you to enhance the value of your fleet of vehicles!
Feel free to contact us by clicking here if you would like more information about the myrentcar solution.
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