Category: Fleet News

All UK companies have a legal obligation to ensure their employees don’t suffer any unreasonable or preventable harm or loss in the workplace. This is known as duty of care.

Employers can be found liable is an employee or a member of the public is harmed or incurs loss as a result of negligence. Therefore, it is vital that all fleet operators carry out the relevant safety checks on owned vehicle to make sure that they’re safe to use.

It’s important to note that if a vehicle is owned by a company, it is considered a place of work, so healthy and safety rules apply just as they would within an office, warehouse or any other workplace. According to the department of transport, over a quarter of road traffic accidents may involve someone who is driving as part of their work obligations.

When it comes to road safety, much of the legal responsibility is on the driver. That’s why it is up to you to ensure your vehicle is safe, well maintained, insured and that it is being driven in a safe manner. An employee caught driving recklessly is responsible for any offence that comes as result.

However, employers also shoulder some of the responsibility for their employees’ actions. For example, employers are liable for the death or injury of an employee or injury of an employee caused by another employee through negligence.

Additionally, both parties may be found liable if a driver is caught speeding as a result of impractical employer scheduling.

What this means for fleets

For fleet operators, it’s important to acknowledge that company owned vehicles are considered the workplace, and that you have an obligation to ensure those vehicles are correctly insured and are safe to drive. It’s also important that you set up ‘safe systems of work’ procedures to assess and minimise the work-related risks and hazards your drivers could face.

As a fleet manager, there are three areas of risk management you should focus on in order to comply with duty of care:

Vehicle

All company-owned vehicles should be suitable for the job at hand and should meet the driver’s needs. Security is also a priority, not just for the driver, but for all road users. Regular maintenance checks and inspections are essential for maintaining the highest possible standards.

Driver

Before employing a new driver, ensure they are properly vetted and that appropriate checks are done on their licence. Make sure that they’re given a thorough induction to the fleet procedures and policies, especially for accident reporting.

Journey

Setting realistic journey targets for your drivers is an important part of safeguarding their welfare. Properly planning their journey reduces the likelihood of speeding or driver fatigue, while also improving the moral of your employees and reducing the risk of work-related ill health.

Tackling your duty of care obligations

There are a number of ways that a company can tackle professional duty of care when it comes to their drivers; from carrying out continuing education through risk assessments and in-vehicle driver training, to classroom based training courses, e-training and documentation.

While drivers should perform daily checks on their vehicles before each journey, companies should also carry out safety checks on vehicles themselves. This is to ensure that they are serviced and maintained regularly.

Every aspect of this process should be recorded in internal management systems and procedures to ensure that, in the event of an incident or accident, there is a clearly defined and identifiable audit trail available.

Duty of care and grey fleet management

Many companies still allow employees, especially those that do not qualify for a company car, to use their own vehicle on company business and reclaim a mileage allowance.

Such vehicles are typically referred to as ‘grey fleet’ vehicles, this is because although they are not company owned, the company does have a professional duty of care towards them and could still be liable for any accidents or incidents in which the drivers of grey fleet vehicles are involved.

Research has shown that grey fleet vehicles are usually older than company-owned vehicles. In addition, they might not have been serviced as regularly and the condition of the tyres may be in generally poorer condition. Moreover, drivers in many instances might only have social, domestic and pleasure insurance, rather than the necessary cover for business use.

But, if anything happens while such a car is in use on company business, it is the company, as well as the employee driving the vehicle, who can be held liable.

It is certainly in the company’s best interest to ensure its employees only use grey fleet vehicles that are fit for purpose and are regularly serviced, as there is a whole raft of legislation under which a company could be found to be negligible.

At Fuel Card Services, we offer a range of fleet management services that can help you fulfil your duty of care for your fleet. Get in touch today to find out more.

From an early age, the creatures that call the rainforest home capture our imagination. It’s where, for most of us, our love for nature and the rainforest starts.

Whether it’s toucans or tigers, sloths or spectacled bears, frogs or funghi, rainforest plants and animals make up an intricate web of inter-reliant species.

People are a vital part of this web too. Often, we just think of human impact on species as a negative one. But indigenous-managed lands are increasingly being shown an essential haven for rainforest wildlife.

Indigenous people are inheritors and practitioners of unique ways of relating to people and the environment, protecting nearly 22% of Earth’s surface and 80% of biodiversity. With support, this makes them powerful stakeholders when responding to climate change and conservation challenges. In fact, across the Amazon, average annual deforestation rates inside tenured indigenous forestlands were 2-3 times lower than outside of them from 2000 to 2012.

Recognising the achievements and contributions made by indigenous peoples to wildlife conservation, land stewardship and climate mitigation is essential. It’s why Cool Earth’s model keeps forest conservation in the hands of local people, empowering the people who have the most impact.

“Only through rights-based, equitable and respectful partnerships with indigenous peoples, will it be possible to ensure the long-term and equitable conservation of biodiversity.”

Local and indigenous knowledge must be integral when developing meaningful practices that tackle the adverse impacts of climate change. Thanks to your support, Cool Earth works to share local knowledge and develop the best ways to protect rainforest globally. With help to develop their climate, financial and social resilience, we believe that indigenous and local communities have the potential to be the greatest rainforest custodians. Keeping wildlife-homing, carbon-storing, rain-making trees standing strong for years to come.

Rainforests play an essential, but often overlooked role in tackling the climate crisis. By working alongside CoolEarth, we’re doing our part to keep this incredible ecosystem strong.

Fleet managers have to balance a wide range of issues. Planning routes, scheduling maintenance, working out expenses and ensuring regulations are followed, all place pressure on these professionals’ time. This is not to mention the constant demands to keep productivity high and costs low.

However, there are a few steps you can take to make your job more efficient and deliver the best results for the business. With the help of a good fleet management system, you can ensure all your drivers and vehicles are operating to their full potential, tackle issues before they turn into major problems, and cut costs.

Here are ten things you should therefore be doing to make the most of your assets.

1.  Access real-time information

The first thing any fleet manager needs in order to work effectively is full visibility into their cars, vans and drivers. This means having access to real-time data that can show them at a glance the location of every vehicle and employee, what their status is and if there are any issues.

To do this, you’ll need an effective telematics system. This connects to a vehicle’s computer and uses a range of sensors to give information on everything from its location and speed to driver inputs. This can be fed constantly back to base via mobile networks or even satellites. As a result, fleet managers are always up-to-date.

Real-time data is also essential for many of the below solutions, so if you don’t have it you’ll be working with one hand tied behind your back.

2.  Implement GPS tracking

A key part of any real-time information solution will be instant details of your fleet’s locations via GPS. This can be vital if you need to dispatch an employee to a certain destination, as you can see at a glance who is available and best-positioned to respond.

However, it can also be used to help record mileage and hours spent on the road, divert drivers away from areas of congestion and even provide customers with real-time updates on when they can expect your employees to arrive.

3.  Improve route planning

GPS tools can also be used in combination with other tech solutions to improve your firms’ route planning. This isn’t just about finding the shortest way from A to B. It should also take into account factors such as expected fuel consumption along the route and the distance to the cheapest filling stations.

For example, if a vehicle is spending a lot of time stuck in traffic with the engine idling, this results in greater fuel consumption and higher costs. With good route planning tools, this can be avoided.

4.  Monitor driver behaviour

Being able to keep an eye on how your employees are driving is also essential. First and foremost, this improves safety. If fleet telematics data shows frequent speeding, or sensors detect harsh control inputs, you can step in to address this. You can even generate league tables that show your best and worst-performing drivers, highlighting who you need to speak to most urgently.

This can also help reduce fuel consumption. By monitoring inputs such as acceleration and braking, you can educate employees to drive more smoothly as well as safely. Indeed, almost half of businesses (49 per cent) using telematics have seen a reduction in speeding incidences and fines, while 55 per cent experienced a drop in fuel usage.

5.  Reduce your fuel costs

While better route planning and driver monitoring can help improve your fuel consumption, you should also make sure you’re not paying over the odds at the pump. To do this, it pays to have a suitable fuel card for your usage.

There are a wide range of products to choose from, so it’s important to get this right. It may be the case that the cheapest option isn’t very convenient for your firm. You also need to consider whether you’d benefit from cards with wider motorway networks, for example, and which brands have locations nearest your most common routes.

6.  Predict maintenance

Breakdowns can be a major headache for fleet managers. As well as the direct costs to fix problems, having vehicles off the road unexpectedly also hurts the firm’s productivity. You can avoid this by using the data taken from telematics systems to predictively schedule maintenance. These tools can highlight potential issues and allow you to step in before they turn into serious problems.

7.  Automate your expenses

Admin work is often among the most time-consuming parts of a fleet manager’s job. Working out details such as mileage claims, expenses, fuel MPG and other details are essential but tedious activities. But with the right fleet management systems, this doesn’t have to be the case.

Being able to calculate these figures automatically, based on data recorded by the telematics system, doesn’t just free up your time. It also ensures the data is accurate and can highlight any unusual events – such as vehicles doing significantly more miles than expected – for investigation.

8.  Set up security alerts

Spotting and cracking down on authorised usage is also essential. For example, you can set up alerts that let you know if a vehicle is being used outside normal office hours. You can also establish geofencing to warn you if a car goes beyond a certain area.

This isn’t only useful for identifying any employees using company assets for personal use. It can also help you quickly track down any stolen vehicle, using GPS tracking to guide police directly to it.

9.  Tackle fuel fraud

Another major concern for many fleet managers is the risk of fuel fraud, such as employees filling personal vehicles using a company fuel card or making claims for miles they haven’t done. Telematics can help spot issues with expenses, while a good fuel card can also help by ensuring vehicle locations match fuel card usage, for example.

10. Manage your vehicle inventory

A good fleet management system can also help keep track of your vehicle inventory. This allows you to better plan ahead for replacements, get alerts when services or MOTs are due, and prepare your finances.

You can also see at a glance details such as the types of fuel used, which will be important to know when selecting a fuel card, and can factor into future buying decisions. For instance, if the majority of your fleet is petrol-powered, you may want to consider phasing out any remaining diesels to simplify your operations.

If you want to know more about how effective fleet management systems can benefit your business, get in touch with our team today.

 

As we leave 2020 behind, it’s a great time to look at the future. And in particular, how we’re going to get about in the years to come. There have been promises of self driven cars and new fuel types for years, but these hopes have always outweighed the reality. Until now, that is.

With technology finally catching up with ambition, the transportation industry is set for big changes in the coming years. So what can we expect to look forward to in the near future?

The rise of self-driven cars

Self-driven cars have been much-talked about for years, and some semi-autonomous assistants are already familiar. Tesla’s Autopilot feature, for example, can take away much of the monotony of motorway driving by following the road, accelerating and braking and changing lanes automatically.

But despite what some people seem to think, these tools aren’t truly self-driving and still need a human hand on the wheel. In fact, there’s still a long way to go to be truly autonomous.

There are five levels of automation that self-driving cars can fall into, and even the most advanced vehicles on sale today only reach level 2. The levels are:

• Level 0 – No automation. A traditional vehicle where everything is driver-controlled.
• Level 1 – Driver assistance. This includes tools like adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking, but still requires drivers to do most of the work. Many cars now offer some form of assistance that fall onto this category.
• Level 2 – Partial automation. Smart systems can take control of accelerating, braking and steering. It’s sometimes called ‘hands-off’ automation, but you still need to be ready to retake control at a moment’s notice. Tesla Autopilot sits in this category.
• Level 3 – Conditional automation. This is similar to level 2, but the vehicles have more capabilities that should in theory allow the driver to take their eyes off the road. This level of automation isn’t yet legal on UK roads and only a very small number of cars have it.
• Level 4 – High automation. At this level, the car should be able to take on all the work, including in complex and emergency situations. While the driver can retake manual control if they wish, they should be able to complete entire journeys without intervening.
• Level 5 – Full automation. No human attention is required at all, and even sterling wheels and pedals become optional. These cars are still very much in the testing stage, but do include self-driving taxis and even autonomous trucks that should be able to follow routes without the need for a driver.

Fully autonomous vehicles in levels 4 and 5 may yet be a while away, but as artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies evolve, they’re much closer than they were even a couple of years ago.

The move to electric

It’s not just how you drive that’s set for a revolution. It’s also how you fuel your vehicle. Electric cars and charging stations are by now a familiar sight on UK roads, but in the coming years they’re set to become even more common.

In the long-term, drivers and fleet managers will have no choice but to adopt electric vehicles (EVs). Last year, the government announced plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 – though some hybrids will still be allowed.

Often, the real barrier to electric cars isn’t the vehicles themselves, but the infrastructure. EVs work well if you’re simply making a short commute and return home to charge every night. However. it’s longer trips that may be more of an issue as currently, you might have difficulty finding a fast charging station.

If fully electric cars are to become the backbone of the UK’s transportation system, the country will need to increase the number of stations. Until then, if you’re running EV fleets, you’ll need to make sure you know where available charging points are to keep your vehicles on the road.

Real-time data

One area that’s already seen big changes recently is the use of real-time data to monitor vehicles. For fleet managers, the information this offers will be invaluable.

This provides much more than GPS devices and real-time tracking to keep an eye on your vehicles at all times. They can also offer you recommendations to make your cars more fuel efficient. This could be better routing or alerting you to poor driver behaviour such as harsh accelerating and braking.

Other forms of transport?

Technologies like self-driving cars and EVs will be of most interest to fleet managers, but they’re just part of the future of transportation. Sustainable transport is set to be a huge priority for many firms in the coming years, as it’s a key part of promoting corporate and social responsibility.

This may start simple, such as encouraging ride sharing, but mass transit may also be set for a huge overhaul in the coming years.

For instance, high-speed rail is likely to be a top priority. While projects such as the HS2 line may be the focus, who knows what the future may bring. Elon Musk’s Hyperloop, for example, could be the future of high-speed travel. Or perhaps it will be something like maglev trains or gyroscopic vehicles that change the way we think about travel.

Until then, most of us will still be sticking to the roads. Therefore, you need the right tools to make sure your drivers are as safe and efficient as possible in a changing environment. Get in touch today to find out what services we can offer to help.

 

It’s a question you may ask yourself while filling your car and staring at the pumps. Is that more expensive premium petrol on the nozzle next to the standard fuel worth the extra cost? And if so, what’s the best premium fuel in the UK?

Premium fuel vs standard fuel

Read on to understand the differences and determine whether opting for more expensive premium petrol and diesel is worth it for your fleet.

The different types of fuel

Most filling stations will offer two types of petrol for your vehicle – standard unleaded and super unleaded. The ‘unleaded’ description remains, even though no leaded fuel has been sold in the UK for years.

What is premium unleaded fuel and super unleaded fuel

Confusingly, standard unleaded is sometimes referred to as ‘premium unleaded’, even though it’s the most essential fuel type. The more expensive options are labelled as ‘super unleaded’.

Read this RAC guide on ‘What is the best fuel for my car? The definitive guide to different fuel types’ for further information about different fuel types.

Branded premium fuel

You can expect this at most filling stations, such as supermarkets. However, many branded stations, such as those run by BP or Shell, also offer their premium fuel formula.

Find out if the supermarket fuel warning is valid here.

For example, Shell stations call this V-Power, while BP stations call it BP Ultimate. Premium fuels typically cost around ten per cent more than standard fuel, though this can vary.

What’s the difference between premium fuel and standard petrol?

The octane rating is the main difference between standard fuel and souped-up premium petrol.

What is a fuel octane rating?

Without getting too technical, this refers to the amount of fuel that can be compressed before it ignites inside the engine.

Generally speaking, the more you can compress the fuel, the more energy will be released, resulting in better performance.

The octane rating is expressed as a research octane number (RON). Regular fuel sold in the UK has an octane rating of 95, whereas premium fuel typically has an octane rating of 97 or 98.

However, some brands’ premium fuel offers even more octane performance. Shell V-Power, for example, offers 99 RON petrol, the most widely available fuel in the UK.

What is premium diesel fuel?

The chemistry of premium diesel is slightly different, but the principle remains the same.

What is a diesel cetane rating?

Because diesel isn’t ignited, it has a rating system called cetane. Most diesel in the UK has a cetane rating between 45 and 55.

As with petrol, the higher the rating, the faster and more efficiently it will burn in your engine, delivering better performance.

Branded premium diesel

Many fuel stations will only have a single option available, so you may not always have a choice if you’re driving a diesel car. However, some brands offer premium diesel, such as Shell’s V-Power Diesel.

Is premium fuel better for your vehicle?

According to their supporters, premium fuels improve performance. Because high-octane fuels release more energy, you can use your engine more efficiently.

However, this is only likely to affect certain vehicles—those already classified as high-performance.

Exactly which cars this covers can be vague, but it typically includes hot hatches, sports cars, and tuned vehicles with powerful engines.

You can’t turn a run-of-the-mill car into a performance vehicle just by adding premium fuel, though, and it won’t affect the amount of horsepower the engine generates.

Is premium fuel worth it? And does premium fuel last longer?

While premium fuels often promise to improve your fuel economy, the evidence for this is limited to most cars. For example, independent tests by What Car? stated that premium fuel is usually an “unnecessary expense” as it offers “no major fuel economy benefit”.

Fleet vehicle cost savings

However, even a minor economic improvement could mean savings for fleet vehicles, especially high-mileage cars. Considering this, it could be worth seeing if you can spot a measurable difference.

Fuel additive benefits

Another factor is that many brands’ premium fuel offerings include a unique blend of additives that promise to improve lubrication and reduce engine wear and tear.

Again, this is something that’s only likely to be an issue for performance cars with top-of-the-range engines. As standard fuel still has to meet minimum legal requirements, cheaper petrol or diesel cannot damage an engine.

The size of your fleet

Whether premium fuel is worth it for your fleet vehicles will depend on the size of your fleet, the types of vehicles you use, the amount of money you have to spend, and the outcomes you are looking for from the investment. Premium fuel might be worth it for some company car fleets, for instance, where the vehicles are newer and superior models, but this isn’t the case for many.

Wear and tear

On the other hand, there might be some potential benefits for vehicles ten years or older with high mileage because of the additive benefits against wear and tear. However, this isn’t guaranteed. There could be benefits to a ‘trial and error’ use of premium fuel to see if your drivers notice any benefits that might make this premium fuel worth the cost.

Choosing the right fuel for your needs

When your fleet is ready, you must know what’s best for your vehicles. This may be straightforward for company-owned vehicles, but it is less so if employees fuel their own cars on a business account.

For more information on managing fuel for SMEs, you can read our informative UK fuel guide.

Vehicle handbook

Our best advice is to refer to the vehicle’s handbook when deciding which fuel to use. The handbook will usually tell you if the engine would benefit from fuel with a higher octane rating. If it doesn’t, you shouldn’t allow drivers to spend extra money on these premium fuels, as any improved fuel economy probably won’t cover the difference.

Car running costs and fuel costs

When managing a fleet, it is essential to consider all the other car running costs and fuel costs.

Find out more in our guide all about the typical cost of running a car.

Fuel cards with Fuel Card Services

However, if the manufacturer recommends premium fuel, the right fuel card is essential to ensure drivers can use it.

For example, fuel cards like the Shell One, Esso Commercial, or BP Plus provide access to these brands’ filling stations. Thus, you can quickly fill up with these providers’ premium offerings wherever you are.

Contact us today to learn more about our various fuel cards and which would best suit your unique needs. Our expert team will be happy to help.