Category: Fleet News

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.

Drive around any town or city in the UK, and you’ll quickly notice that fuel costs vary widely. In particular, supermarket fuel is often notably cheaper than big brands such as BP or Shell.

But why is this the case? And will buying supermarket fuel make a difference in how your car performs? Read on to find out.

Why Do Supermarkets Sell Fuel?

Supermarkets have been selling fuel since the 1970s and have steadily grown their market share. According to the RAC Foundation, almost four in five UK homes now live within three miles of a petrol station run by Tesco, Asda, Morrison’s, or Sainsbury’s.

Reduced Supermarket Fuel Prices

However, most supermarkets’ main competitors aren’t the big fuel retailers but each other. These brands aggressively cut fuel prices to undercut their rivals and attract customers.

Supermarket Fuel Convenience

After all, most people will drive to a supermarket to do their big weekly shopping anyway, so offering a convenient extra incentive to opt for a particular brand over another makes sense. If the price per litre is your main deciding factor in where to buy fuel, this can also affect your decision on where to shop for groceries.

Why Is Supermarket Fuel Different In Terms Of Price?

Many factors determine the price of fuel. Global oil prices, the distance between the petrol station and the refinery, and the level of competition in the area all contribute. Yet, supermarket service stations consistently offer cheaper fuel than the big oil brands.

How Much Cheaper Is Supermarket Fuel?

On average, petrol prices in the supermarket forecourt are around 3p to 5p cheaper per litre than those for branded fuel. Sometimes, however, you can find petrol at as much as 8p or even 10p cheaper, which is more affordable than from big oil companies.

This may be especially true when supermarkets engage in price wars with each other or offer extra discounts for customers who spend a certain amount in-store.

Is There A Difference Between Supermarket Fuel And Branded Fuel?

However, many people may be wary that ‘you get what you pay for’ regarding fuel quality. So, if you buy petrol and diesel from the supermarket, are you getting the same product?

Where Does Supermarket Fuel Come From?

Fundamentally, the answer is yes. Supermarket fuel usually comes from the same refineries as the big brands and will have the same basic chemical makeup. But it’s not quite that simple.

BP, Esso and Shell usually add a wide range of special additives to their fuels to improve fuel efficiency and performance. Precisely what these additives contain are, of course, closely guarded trade secrets. However, they often include detergents and lubricants to make the engine run smoother.

Jason Lloyd, managing director at PetrolPrices.com, explains: “Many supermarkets get fuel from the same refineries as the leading brands. But it’s a bit like budget airlines – they get you to the same place, but with main national carriers, you also get more, such as in-flight food and entertainment.”

Is Supermarket Fuel Bad For My Car?

Like the own-branded cornflakes or cola you’ll find on the shelves inside, supermarket fuel is seen as a cheap, cheerful alternative to branded products. However, much like own-branded food, while some people won’t notice any difference in taste, others will insist the big brands are superior.

With fuel, unlike cornflakes, we can try to get a definite answer by measuring the difference in fuel economy and engine wear. Yet results from these fuel tests are often inconclusive.

Supermarket Fuel May Be Less Efficient Than Branded Fuel Due To Fewer Additives

Some tests suggest premium fuel can improve economy by up to four or five miles per gallon. If you’re a fleet driver doing 10,000 miles or more per year, this will offset the extra cost at the pump. However, this is not the case for more occasional drivers, while other tests have found the economic difference negligible.

However, there may be other reasons to choose branded fuel. For instance, premium fuel with a high octane rating can be beneficial.

If you’ve got a high-performance car, this fuel releases more energy when it ignites, so making the most of a quality engine will be helpful. But putting high-octane petrol in a standard compact car won’t suddenly turn into a hot hatch. Therefore, check your car’s user manual to see if you’d benefit from premium fuel.

Supermarket Fuel Quality Standards

Finally, it’s important to remember that whatever you decide, using supermarket fuel won’t be bad for your car. All fuel sold on UK forecourts has to adhere to minimum quality standards. This ensures they don’t damage your engine, and supermarkets are no exception.

If you want to use branded fuel, there are ways to get it cheaper. Some credit cards, for instance, offer cashback when used at certain brands’ filling stations. Alternatively, fleet managers and business owners can use fuel cards to save money on branded fuel.

Reduce Fuel Costs With A Fuel Card From Fuel Card Services

We offer a wide range of fuel cards from all the UK’s biggest brands, including Esso, Texaco, BP and Shell. What’s more, some cards can also be used on supermarket forecourts. Check out our selection of fuel cards today to find one that’s right for you.

If your firm relies on vehicles, good fleet management software is a must-have. Without these systems, it will be much harder to ensure your fleet operations are working well. This means you’ll be losing both time and money.

Keeping your fleet operations under control ensures you’re not overspending on fuel, repairs or replacement vehicles.

But this is not all. Effective fleet management is essential to keeping your business operations running smoothly and ensuring you’re providing good customer service. After all, if your employees can’t get where they need to be because their vehicle is in for maintenance again, this reflects poorly on you.

To do this effectively, you’ll need the right tools. And this is where fleet management software comes in.

What is fleet management software?

Fleet management software is a set of tools to make the day-to-day running of your vehicles easier. A good solution will include a range of elements that work together to give you total control of your fleet. Typical services that may be part of these include:

• GPS trackers
• Vehicle sensors
• Mileage tracking tools
• Maintenance alerts
• Routing tools
• Fuel management solutions

Effective systems will wrap all these features together into one package with an easy-to-understand user interface. This provides a single platform that offers you full visibility and insight into every aspect of your fleet.

This includes your vehicles and drivers, as well as routes, expenses and other operations, all under one roof.

5 ways fleet management solutions help your business

There are a wide range of fleet management systems available for businesses. Not all of these may offer the same features, so it’s important to do your research carefully.

In general, however, there are a few key services that every good software solution can provide. Here are five benefits you can’t afford to do without.

1. Cut costs

There are several ways in which fleet management software can help reduce spending. One of the main tools is to optimise your route planning. GPS telematics tools can easily determine if your drivers are taking the most efficient routes and make suggestions for improvements.

Elsewhere, these tools can help reduce the total cost of ownership for your vehicles by reducing the risk of breakdowns or unplanned maintenance. It also keeps track of mileage claims for expense purposes, as well as ensuring you don’t exceed limitations of any vehicles leases.

2. Improve efficiency

Route planning isn’t just about reducing fuel usage. It also ensures your drivers spend less time sitting in traffic and are going from point A to point B as directly as possible. This ensures they spend more time bringing value to the business rather than travelling.

These tools can also automate many day-to-day processes, such as filling in expenses forms. They also help the fleet manager by getting rid of complex paperwork. In turn, this means less time hunting for information and other tedious activities.

3. Increase safety

Vehicle sensors are another increasingly important part of a good fleet management system. These can keep track of employee inputs to the accelerator, brakes and steering and keep a record of how they’re driving. According to one study, companies that have these tools see 42 per cent fewer safety incidents in their fleet.

This is partly down to the fact drivers who know they’re being monitored will be more careful. But it also means if you see an individual is taking risks, speeding or braking aggressively, you can step in. Whether it’s to give advice or a warning, this can help you improve driver behaviour and keep them – and others – safe.

4. Improve maintenance

The new generation of vehicle sensors aren’t just limited to watching your employees. They can also monitor the vehicle itself in real time for any telltale signs of potential problems. This allows you to be more proactive with your maintenance and step in before an issue results in an expensive breakdown.

Aside from this, fleet management software tools allow you to take better control of your vehicles’ everyday needs. They can ensure you’re up-to-date on MOTs, services and other routine maintenance and automatically highlight any actions you need to take.

5. Keep up with regulations

Finally, these solutions can also help you navigate your legal requirements, from licensing issues to tax requirements. Mileage trackers, for example, can be connected directly with accountancy software to instantly calculate a driver’s expenses.

Meanwhile, driver management services can keep an eye on everything from what kind of license an individual has to how many penalty points they’ve picked up, ensuring that everything you do is in compliance with all relevant laws.

Want to learn more about fleet management software? Then get in touch with our experts to see what these tools and technologies can bring to your business.

As the end of autumn approaches, it may be a good time to take a look at your winter vehicle checks and prepare your fleet for winter. Winter weather means an increase in rain, sleet, snow and ice, all factors that could make driving in the colder months of the year that much more dangerous. Research suggests that accident rates increase as much as 20 per cent on average during these winter months. But there are a number of checks and practises that can be undertaken to help ensure your fleet don’t become a part of the statistics.

Here is a checklist we have compiled to ensure your vehicles and drivers are well prepared for what the winter brings.

Routine maintenance checks

Maintenance of your fleet vehicles should be constantly managed in any fleet business. But as winter approaches, it is crucial to ensure your vehicles are prepared.

MyService.Expert is a great tool that can help you to manage the maintenance schedule and costs for your fleet. Not only does MyService.Expert help to organise costs and bookings, we have also negotiated a range of competitive rates from garages around the country to help cut the costs.

Tyre checks

Tyres are key to both good steering and safe braking. Consider utilising winter tyres for all of your fleet vehicles, particularly if your vehicles tend to visit remote areas. Winter tyres have tread that gets harder as weather gets colder, allowing the vehicle to drive over ice or snow easier than general tyres

Check the tyre tread more frequently. The recommendation is that treads are 3mm minimum to manage slippery conditions.

Inspect engines

Inspect all engines often, especially before long haul journeys. For added protection, anti-freeze should be replenished when possible.

Replace old batteries

Minimise the possibility for battery failure by ensuring no batteries are older than 5 years. Older batteries may struggle to hold their charge in the cold, and this can lead to fleet vehicles not turning on. For the efficient operation of your fleet, consider checking the health of and even replacing batteries that are older than three years.

Screen Wash

Lastly, check the screen wash levels and ensure your fleet are using a screen wash fluid with a suitable freezing point. It’s always important that screen wash is topped up so that drivers can clear their line of sight when driving, and should the screen wash freeze it could hinder visibility and safety.

Emergency packs for drivers

Ensure that all vehicles carry an emergency kit. If your driver breaks down, the emergency kit will provide some essentials to help the situation. Items may include:

• High visibility jacket
• Torch
• Batteries
• Screen wash
• Ice scraper
• De-icer
• Emergency contact information

Make sure all of your drivers are aware of the emergency kits, so they are prepared if anything were to happen due to winter conditions.

Safety tips for winter driving

Keep your drivers updated of the possibilities of harsh weather. You may want to advise drivers to adapt their driver behaviour in line with severe road conditions.

Keep a constant speed

Keeping a constant speed when driving in winter weather helps to improve the grip of the vehicle to the road. Drivers should also move to higher gears quickly when driving on icy roads.

Leave plenty of room

Wet, icy and snowy roads can present an obvious risk of collision if not driven properly. Breaking distance is significantly impacted by winter weather, and as such fleet drivers should be reminded to always keep a generous distance between themselves and other drivers.

Avoid harsh acceleration

Accelerating harshly can cause vehicles to skid and trigger wheel spin. Whilst these are sometimes inevitable when driving in particularly cold and icy weather, not breaking too harshly can help to avoid it.

Use headlights in heavy snow

If faced with a journey in heavy snow, headlights should be used. Dense snow fall can seriously obscure driver vision, and driving in such conditions should often be avoided. However, when driving in snow is necessary, taking every measure to improve vision is vital to avoid accidents.

Use second gear to pull off

Using second gear and gently accelerating to pull off reduces the risk of wheel spin and skidding, allowing for a smoother and more efficient start to the journey.

Monitor driver safety with telematics

To add another layer of security, consider installing telematics in your vehicles. If your driver breaks down for whatever reason, you can locate your driver in a matter of seconds as opposed to relying on your driver’s describing where they are.

Tele-Gence is our advanced telematics service designed to improve driver safety and reduce costs with the best of market technology. Offering fully customisable software with a range of great tracking tools that can help fleet managers to monitor driver habits and safety, Tele-Gence is a invaluable addition to fleet management tools as we head into the colder months.

We hope our top tips on how to prepare your fleet for winter is useful to you and your drivers. To discuss vehicle tracking options, our Tele-Gence team are on hand to talk through the best fit for your business.