Our advices to deal with fuel prices

As we all know, for several months now, the price of fuel has risen considerably. Today it is much more expensive to fill up the tank of our truck than it was a year ago. Since the first weeks of the year, a series of diverse circumstances, such as the conflict in Ukraine or the energy crisis, have led to an increasement of fuel prices in a way we have rarely seen before.

Then nowadays we are paying well over 2€ for diesel or gasoline in practically all the countries of the European Union. We are also in a situation that would have been unthinkable just one year ago: diesel is already more expensive than gasoline (Europe consumes much more diesel than it can produce) and this is the main fuel for heavy vehicles.

Then any advice that helps us save fuel four our truck is always welcome. From reducing speed to keeping an eye on the general condition of the vehicle, there are many tips that we can carry out in a simple way to spend less. That's why we have talked to different carriers in order to offer you four actions that will have a decisive impact on your economy.

Tip 1: Control the speed

Excessive speeding burns the most fuel. In fact, according to the American Transport Association, a truck driving 120 km/h consumes 27% more fuel than one driving 100 km/h mph. So, it pays to be a few minutes late to our destination and turn that delay time into money for our daily expenses.

Tip 2: No more aggressive driving

Closely related to this is aggressive driving. In that sense, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory published a 2017 study that found fuel economy in light-duty gasoline vehicles could be improved by between 15% and 30% when at highway speeds simply by curbing aggressive driving.

Tip 3: Keep an eye on your truck’s conditions

It’s also important to keep an eye on the conditions of the truck. Daily maintenance is essential if we want it to always drive in optimal conditions. Change the oil frequently, and don't forget about changing the fuel filters. Same with the tires. When a truck's tires are under-inflated, they don't do their job as well, and the vehicle burns more gas to compensate.

Tip 4: Join a freight exchange

Inefficiency is definitely the biggest problem facing truckers today. 25% percent of the trucks circulate empty in Europe. For most transport companies, the use of digital technologies is one of the best ways to end with that issue. In fact, one of the biggest hurdles in in transportation businesses is to improve the productivity by reducing empty kilometres. This is were freight exchanges such as Teleroute come into play. Through its online platform, Teleroute connects supply and demand for capacity. Having access to this community in which you’ll be able to make new partnerships and find freight, will make also possible to manage the company's daily activity in a more sustainable way and reduce empty kilometers.

Saving fuel has always been a key question, but now it is more important than ever. Not only to improve our economy, but also to do our bit for the environment. And by following these tips, we can improve our track.