Category: Fleet News

Latest fleet news updates for fleet managers, business owners and drivers.

Fleet cars- which vehicles should I choose?

The Ultimate Guide to Fleet Cars

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

Cars are the most common type of vehicle used by commercial fleets in the UK, and these can be owned either by a business, or owned by an employee and registered for commercial use.

Naturally, there are many considerations to be made around bringing the right fleet cars on board and creating the right infrastructure to facilitate a productive and hassle-free experience for your drivers that doesn’t break the brand.

Short-term considerations around the business’ bottom line, though, are not the only consideration to be made when picking your fleet cars. In fact, the legislative and ethical considerations surrounding the UK’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 should also play a role in how you design your commercial fleet.

For example, the UK is set to introduce a Zero Emission Vehicle mandate for car manufacturers in 2024 which will impact the types of cars that are on the market in the coming years. So, how do you go about bringing the right fleet cars on board?

Things to consider when choosing a fleet car

There are a number of factors to consider when procuring fleet cars for your company, and these factors will influence what make and model you choose to buy or lease, and which additional features are useful too.

Carry out some research following our guide below to help you pick the perfect fleet cars and other fleet vehicles for your fleets needs.

Usage and route planning

Understanding the types of journeys and routes the fleet car will need to do is the vital first step in picking the right vehicle. You’ll want your fleet car to be fit for purpose, so think about exactly what sort of trips it’s going to be making.

Long motorway trips, inner-city driving, country roads and off roading (perhaps for rural deliveries) may all require different vehicle capabilities, and this should be in the forefront of your mind when looking at car specifications and features. Powering your fleets is also crucial, and access to filling stations and electric charging stations can help determine whether you ought to invest in diesel, petrol, electric or hybrid vehicles – and whether you should look for features like stop-start technology to help increase efficiency and save costs.

Having an unsuitable car for the fleet’s needs can result in increased costs for the company, either through excessive fuel consumption or maintenance costs. You might find that cars ill-suited to motorway driving consume excessive amounts of fuel, or costly wear and tear, for example.

Similarly, consider the possible trajectory of environmental legislation as well as your business’ responsibility that might impact your fleet in coming years. For instance, if an electric vehicle offers many of the same benefits as a petrol or diesel car, consider choosing it over the latter in order to bolster your business’ efforts to minimise emissions.

Operational costs

The full scope of the cost of your fleet cars is not captured within its price tag. Instead, operational costs, maintenance, fuel, leasing, and tax must be considered to help you make an informed decision.

When looking at used cars in particular, it’s important to identify any faults or weakness that could incur future costs – and to develop a process for thoroughly inspecting second hand cars to spot any potential issues.

Repairs and maintenance

Maintenance is a cost that could end up high if you don’t do sufficient prior research, particularly when purchasing or leasing second hand fleet cars. We suggest conducting proper research by calculating projections around the real cost of the vehicles you’re interested in and gauging how expensive they’ll be within six months, a year, five years, and ten years based on vehicle makes, models, and ages.

Utilising a fleet vehicle maintenance software can also help you to stay in control and on top of maintenance needs for your fleet.

Safety

Safety is a huge factor when consider when picking your fleet vehicles but it’s also an important consideration when they’re on the road too. For this reason, its worth considering investing in fleet management technologies that will help to boost the safety of your fleet.

Tele-Gence is an advanced telematics service that is designed to improve driver safety and reduces costs too, with the use of the best market technology. Not only is it easy to use, but it’s also flexible and fully customisable so you can ensure that once you have picked the right fleet cars, you have a functional and tailored telematics service that fits the bill.

Business standards

After safety and other important decisions that influence driver safety and compatibility with the role your fleet car needs to play, you should consider your business standards and the image your want your fleet to communicate.

Company image is important, so by selecting your fleet cars and other vehicles to reflect your business appropriately you could help to unify this image. Factors to consider include branding and business objectives, as well as the value that standardisation could bring to your business if appearances matter.

Row of black fleet cars

Used fleet cars – the pros and cons

Used fleet cars can be a source of saving in many ways because of their age. This also applies to insurance rates, which are often lower for used vehicles and you can still find relatively new models for significantly less money than you would purchasing them new.

However, second hand cars are typically less reliable than their brand-new counterparts, and balancing base costs for the initial vehicle purchase against long-term maintenance and repair costs is key for fleet operators. You may find that a used car delivers unforeseen costs in maintenance, repair, and adjustments that a new vehicle simply might not.

If you opt for used fleet vehicles then take your time to research the vehicle value, have it inspected by a mechanic, check its VIN and history report as well as asking for warranties – and conduct a test-drive if possible.

Supply chain issues in the car production pipeline are currently having a harsh impact on second hand vehicles, pushing up prices while new vehicles are at reduced rated of production. Keep this in mind whilst looking of your second-hand fleet vehicles and be mindful that the price you pay for a fleet vehicle currently might not be reflective of its value.

The benefits of used fleet cars

  1. Lower depreciation hits.
  2. Lower car insurance rates.
  3. Cheap registry renewals.

The disadvantages of used fleet cars

  1. May not be as reliable as new vehicles.
  2. Wear and tear.
  3. Higher mileage.

New fleet cars – pros and cons

Purchasing or leasing a new fleet car can be a great way to avoid the typical used car challenges around longevity and maintenance – in favour of reliability. With access to better fuel economy, you may even find that the overall cost of your new vehicle is cheaper than a second-hand counterpart when forecasting over a number of years. Not to mention the peace of mind you may also enjoy from knowing that your vehicle doesn’t have a murky past.

The pitfall of a new vehicle, of course, is the upfront cost you are likely to pay. New cars are fundamentally more expensive and on top of the immediate cost there are additional fees to pay such as registration and auto sales tax.

With car production currently being affected by semiconductor chip shortage prompted by the coronavirus pandemic and the recent fire in a Japanese factory, now is tricky time to look at purchasing new cars. Delays in the car production pipeline mean you need to act efficiently and consider the value and role of new cars for your fleet.

The benefits of new fleet cars

  1. Reliable.
  2. Up to date technologies.
  3. Low maintenance costs.
  4. No damage or wear.

The disadvantages of new fleet cars

  1. Expensive – both for the car and the addition fees (registration, auto sales tax, dealer documentation).
  2. Higher depreciation rates.

Fleet Management Services

We hope our fleet cars guide has helped make you aware of some of the key considerations to make when expanding your fleet in the modern day, as well as the legislation and market movements to look out for.

After you’ve made your vehicle choice and your fleet cars are out on the roads, make sure they operate as safely and efficiently as possible with invaluable fleet management services.

We offer a range of fleet services that can help with every aspect of fleet management from increasing safety with My Drive Safe, to tracking mileage with Mileage Count.

Get in touch with our experts today to discuss what fleet services might be of use to you.

vehicles parked on the side of the road

Where can drivers park on the road?

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

Many businesses use drivers to make deliveries. Whether it’s food or parcels, the UK lockdowns saw the rate of deliveries increase quite dramatically. With more drivers making deliveries, this means more cars need to park on our roads.

Therefore, businesses should know what rules exist that dictate where their drivers may or may not park. After all, drivers can’t guarantee that they’ll find a dedicated car park – especially a free one!

Where you can and can’t park

According to the highway code, there are certain places that parking is not permitted except in extreme cases.

Double yellow lines

car parked on a double yellow line

Drivers will of course be familiar with double yellow lines. Parking our waiting on these lines is forbidden at any time of day.

Blue badge holders are able to park on a double yellow for a maximum of 3 hours, providing there is no signage that indicates otherwise. Specific circumstances may allow loading or unloading on a double yellow as long as you are seen to be cautious. However, the rules regarding when you can and can’t load on a double yellow are somewhat vague – you may wish to encourage your drivers to avoid doing this just in case.

A parking fine of £70 is typically given to drivers who have parked on a double yellow. However, this is often reduced by 50% if the fine is paid within two weeks. Either way, this is not something businesses will want to deal with!

Clearways

clearway sign

A road with a blue and red sign indicates that stopping is not permitted in any case at any time, including blue badge holders. This road is a clearway, which means exactly what it says – keep the way clear!

These signs are often accompanied with additional information such as “for the next 5 miles”. There won’t be specific road markings like a double yellow line in on a clearway, so drivers must keep an eye out for these signs.

Double red lines

double red line on road

In some areas of the UK, you’ll see red lines instead of yellow. They are being introduced into cities such as London and Leeds to improve the flow of traffic.

Just like the double yellow, these lines indicate that stopping is prohibited at any time.

Pedestrian crossings

zebra crossing

Of course, parking on a pedestrian crossing is not permitted as it would obstruct access for people crossing. The zig-zag white lines leading up to the crossing must also be kept clear, as parked cars would risk obstructing a pedestrian’s view of the road.

Single yellow line

single yellow line

There are plenty of places on UK roads that drivers are permitted to park on at specific times of the day. One example of this is a single yellow line.

A single yellow line on a road indicates that you should not park on it. However, this restriction is often lifted outside of certain times. Often, you’re able to park on these lines in the evening or at the weekend. Should you need to park on a single yellow line, look for nearby signs that will indicate when you are permitted to do so.

Much like the double yellow, blue badge holders are able to park on single yellows for up to 3 hours as long as it is safe to do so, and the signage does not say otherwise.

Outside someone’s house

Whilst the residents of the house might not be happy about it, the law states that you are perfectly within your right to park outside someone’s home. Residents do not automatically get the right to park on the road in front of their home.

However, if a driver parks in front of a driveway and blocks someone in, this could be a violation. The local council potentially has the power to move the parked vehicle.

How to park on the road safely

The highway code gives drivers some tips on parking on the road properly:

  • Park as close to the curb as possible
  • Apply the handbrake, and switch off the engine and any lights
  • Don’t park against the flow of traffic
  • Ensure valuables are not visible in the vehicle
  • Don’t park too close to a vehicle that is displaying a blue badge

If the road on which you are parked has a speed limit of 30mph, parking lights must be left on to avoid other drivers colliding with your parked vehicle.

Additional places drivers cannot park

As well as places on the road marked by lines or signs, there are also a few places outlined by the Highway Code that drivers must not stop in, unless forced to by traffic or an emergency.

  • Near a school entrance
  • Anywhere that prevents access for emergency services
  • A bus, taxi or tram stop
  • Near the brow of a hill
  • On a lowered curb
  • On a bend

However, the wording of these rules in the Highway Code states that drivers “should not” park in these places. This creates a bit of legal ambiguity as to whether parking in these places is a crime, but parking fines can still be issued by local authorities if this guidance is ignored.

How can Fuel Card Services help?

We can’t find parking spaces for your drivers, but we can make sure they’re being safe out on the road! Our telematics service, Tele-Gence, helps fleet managers to track the whereabouts of their drivers, as well as reports on their driving behaviour.

If one of your drivers were to park somewhere they shouldn’t, you’ll be able to see it on the Tele-Gence software.

Tele-Gence can also be paired with your fuel card account. Whether you’re already a fuel card customer or a fleet manager looking to cut the cost of their operations, we’ve got the tools for you.

Get in touch today!

Are employers responsible for driver eyesight?

Are employers responsible for driver eyesight?

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

According to research carried out for National Eye Health Week, there are 9 million drivers on UK roads whose quality of vision is below the legal requirement. Poor eyesight can be a huge risk to not only your drivers, but the road users around them.

In fact, incidents on the road that can be attributed to poor eyesight result in an estimated 2,900 casualties per year.

What is your duty of care as an employer?

The law states that employers must ensure that any employee who drives for work is fit to do so. This could cover a number of things, but ensuring your drivers’ eyesight is in good condition falls under these rules.

The standard check is to see whether drivers can read a number plate from 20 metres away. It is recommended that you do this when they are first employed, and every 6 months following.

Should they fail this test, it is vital that they get their eyes tested properly. This can be arranged by the employer or the employee, depending on your policy. However, should the employee fail to have their eyes tested and continue to drive with less than adequate vision, this could be a breach of the law.

If the results of your drivers’ eye tests aren’t satisfactory, don’t worry! They can be fitted with glasses that will make bring their vision up to a satisfactory level when they’re behind the wheel.

It is recommended that any eye tests your drivers have are documented so that you can supply evidence that you have been fulfilling your duty of care.

Why is driver eyesight so important?

Of course, it is vital that your drivers have sufficient eyesight so that they are not a danger to themselves or others. Poor vision leads to drivers not perceiving hazards in time, meaning a collision with pedestrians, cyclists or other vehicles becomes increasingly likely.

39% of road traffic accidents in 2019 were caused by drivers failing to observe their surroundings properly. A good portion of these accidents may be attributed to poor eyesight. It bears asking how many of these incidents could have been prevented had their ability to see properly be above the minimum requirement?

Knowingly driving with sub-par vision could result in fines of up to £1,000, penalty points on licences and even prosecution if a serious incident occurs as a result, which could all have massive repercussions on your business.

How to tell if drivers should have their vision tested

If your drivers are experiencing certain symptoms, it could be a sign that their vision has deteriorated.

Make sure your drivers have their eyes tested if they are experiencing:

  • Eye strain
  • Headaches
  • Pressure behind the eyes
  • Double vision
  • Noticing halos around lights
  • Difficulty seeing at night

It is probable that the reason so many UK drivers have poor vision is that our eyesight tends to deteriorate so slowly that we don’t even notice it happening. This makes it increasingly difficult to identify when there is a problem, as drivers may just think their vision is normal! That’s why it is all the more important to repeat the license plate test on a regular basis. Failing to do so could, as mentioned, result in serious consequences for your drivers, your business, and other road users.

How can Fuel Card Services help?

Ensuring each and every driver in your business has adequate eyesight is a one of many safety concerns that fleet managers might have. However, drivers are only half of the equation – you also need to monitor the safety of your vehicles!

With the MyDrive.Safe app, your drivers can efficiently and thoroughly carry out vehicle safety checks on their phone. This means plenty of time saved on admin and tamper proof records. When your drivers use MyDrive.Safe, you can rest easy with the knowledge that the vehicles they use day in and day out are safe to drive, and you’re also fulfilling your duties as a fleet manager.

Get in touch with Fuel Card Services today to see how we could help your business remain safe out on the road!

Rising fuel prices in 2022

Why are fuel prices going up in the UK?

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

If you are a car owner or manage vehicles as part of your business, you will have noticed that you’re paying a lot more to fill up a tank recently. With record breaking highs in fuel prices, recent world events have meant that we’re forced to spend more to travel the same distances.

Tom Cosway, Head of Commercial Business at Fuel Card Services says “Rising fuel prices are forcing UK businesses to find solutions that reduce their operating costs. Doing so could be crucial to remaining competitive in the coming months.”

In this article, we’re going to take a look at why this is happening, and explore what practical steps business owners can take to reduce costs faced for company vehicles.

Why are fuel prices going up in the UK?

Petrol prices in the UK have surged in 2024. This increase is driven primarily by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving Israel and Iran, which have pushed up wholesale oil costs. 

Additionally, the start of the driving season in the USA, where there is a high demand for fuel due to leisure trips in July, has further strained global supply. 

Despite efforts by the UK Chancellor to mitigate costs by freezing fuel duty and maintaining a 5p cut in prices, retail dynamics have also played a role, with retailers taking larger margins, especially on diesel. This price hike, which has made petrol the most expensive since November 2023, poses challenges for consumers and businesses, contributing to inflation and affecting travel budgets.

Current fuel prices UK

Government data shows that fuel prices are still increasing weekly, going from an average of 144.67 pence per litre of petrol, compared to 150.58 pence per litre for diesel.

With such high prices for diesel, if you are buying more cars for a fleet soon, think about the pros and cons of buying a petrol vs diesel car.

What causes changes in the cost of fuel?

The price you pay for petrol and diesel is impacted by the following factors:

  • Supply and demand for oil.
  • The price of crude oil globally.
  • Combined wholesale cost, distribution cost and retail margin
  • VAT charged
  • Fuel duty owed to the government
  • Exchange rates from dollar to pounds

How to reduce fuel costs for your business

For businesses in the UK managing multiple vehicles, it’s now more important than ever to do what you can to save money on the cost of fuel. There are different options that can be taken for managing your fleet effectively to reduce outgoings on fuel.

1. Save money with a fuel card

A great method of saving money on fuel for business vehicles is using a fuel card, as you can achieve discounts on every mile. Working with all major fuel brands, Fuel Card Services can offer savings of up to 10p per litre when you use a fuel card.

You can utilise our quick and easy fuel card selector to see which fuel card would be best for your business, or complete our short form to receive a free quote today.

2. Use fleet management solutions

Using fleet management software solutions can allow businesses to take control of their fleet from all over the UK and make efficiencies to reduce costs.

By implementing an effective telematics system, vehicles can be tracked, and routes can be planned to ensure the most fuel-efficient route is taken. Telematics can also save you money by directing drivers to the cheapest and most practical petrol stations. You can read more about the many benefits of using Tele-Gence Telematics and how this could be a useful solution to reduce costs for your business.

Not only this, Fuel Card Services offers fleet management options that help to get vehicles fixed or serviced at pre-negotiated rates. So, for fleet operators, vehicle maintenance could be an interesting area in which you could look to make cost-savings.

Cut costs on your business’ fuel today

Operational costs have always been a key expenditure that small to medium-sized businesses have had to contend with. In 2024, this is certainly the case, and the rising cost of fuel is causing cash flow challenges for businesses across the globe.

Consequently, it’s now more important than ever that businesses look to make efficiencies in small ways to remain competitive. Whether that involves investing in a fuel card to save money on business mileage, or introducing new technology to improve fleet efficiency, Fuel Card Services has a solution that could help.

You can get a free quote online or apply now for fuel cards and fleet management services from Fuel Card Services. If you would like assistance in choosing the right fuel card or fleet management solution, you can contact us today to speak to one of our experts.

Fleet management guide

Fleet Management Guide

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

For operators of commercial fleets, going about managing those fleets in the right way is absolutely crucial. That’s because fleet management impacts a business’ profitability, staff, and customer base.

In this guide, we’ll cover off the key aspects of fleet management to help operators stay on top of the best practices used in industry. We’ll specifically touch on subjects including:

What is fleet management?

Fleet management involves the coordination and organisation of a business’ vehicle portfolio and drivers. This includes not only company-owned cars or vans, but also grey fleet vehicles which are owned by employees but used for work purposes.

Exactly what a fleet management model should look like differs from company to company, and can depend on the number of vehicles managed and the infrastructure and systems in place. However, there are some universal truths to effective fleet management that apply to all businesses at any given stage during their lifecycle.

Some of these key components include:

  • Monitoring operational cost.
  • Ensuring vehicle safety and compliance.
  • Vehicle maintenance and repair.
  • Employee management and training.
  • Managing operational efficiency and optimisation.

A good fleet manager should be able to keep a legal and safe operation running, engage and motivate workforce, and do so while making cost savings wherever possible.

The role of the fleet manager

The job of the fleet manager is to oversee both the wider strategic movements and the day-to-day operations of a business’ cars, vans, or trucks. Fleet managers have a wide range of responsibilities and so need to be versatile in their skillsets and able to dabble in everything from accountancy to strong communications and the ability to multitask.

Some of the key responsibilities of a fleet manager role include:

Controlling costs

Ensuring operating costs are kept as low as possible is a primary task of the fleet manager. This can include getting a good deal on initial purchases or rentals, as well as keeping ongoing costs down, which could be achieved through improving fuel efficiency or managing the use of services like fuel cards.

Overseeing vehicle maintenance

Keeping your fleet on the road is vital to the success of any business. This means ensuring cars and vans are regularly serviced and checked for any faults. The latest smart technology can alert you to any potential issues before they become a problem, allowing you to plan your schedule and reduce the risk of a breakdown.

Ensuring driver safety

As well as ensuring your fleet is mechanically sound, a good fleet manager should also be keeping an eye on driver behaviour. Tools like telematics systems can keep a full log of their actions, and show you if they were speeding, for instance – or if any harsh inputs have been made on the steering or brakes. This information can enable you step in with training or advice where necessary.

Driving a car with closeup of dashboard

Tracking vehicles

It’s essential that you know where your vehicles are at all times. GPS tracking tools give you a complete picture of your current situation and let you make changes. For instance, it can show you if drivers are taking inefficient routes between jobs and therefore help better plan your operations. What’s more, it can quickly alert you to any unauthorised vehicle use or track down a stolen car.

Ensuring compliance

It’s also up to the fleet management team to ensure their vehicles are road legal and that drivers are meeting their requirements. However, this doesn’t just include keeping MOTs and insurance valid. You should also be tracking any mileage claims for expenses and tax purposes and ensuring drivers aren’t breaching working time rules. This also covers ensuring your drivers are fully licensed for the vehicles they operate. And you’re keeping a record of any issues such as penalty points.

How to improve your fleet management

The most efficient and profitable fleets are likely to be those with the best managers at the helm who can provide structure and processes that are easy to follow, while also ensuring communication with drivers is clear.

Our tips on the key areas in which most fleets could look to upgrade include:

1. Accessing real-time information

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

The most effective way of achieving this is by implementing an effective telematics system. This system connects to a vehicle’s computer and uses a range of sensors to feed data back to a central computer detailing everything a vehicle’s location and speed to driver inputs. Real-time data is also a pre-requisite to many of the solutions we’re about to cover, so if you don’t have it, you could be working with one hand tied behind your back.

2. Implementing 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. Improving 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. Monitoring 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.

Dashboard view of person driving a car down motorway

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. Reducing 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. Predictively scheduling maintenance

Breakdowns can be a major headache for fleet managers. Beyond the direct costs associated with fixing vehicle 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. Automating 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.

Closeup of people calculating expenses with receipts and pen and paper

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. Setting up security alerts

Spotting and cracking down on unauthorised vehicle 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 from your portfolio travels beyond a certain area.

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

9. Tackling 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. Managing 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.

11. Procuring the right fleet vehicles

It’s crucial that your vehicle portfolio is properly equipped to meet the needs of your business, and there are a lot of considerations you could make around whether to bring new vehicles on board, or upgrade existing cars and vans. A good starting point is to analyse the fuel they’re currently using, and gain visibility over all car running costs.

Procuring the right commercial fleet vehicles

From there, you can factor in market movements such as the growth of electric vehicles when making judgements on how to go about upgrading your fleet over the coming months and years.

Fleet management software solutions

Many of the efficiencies fleet operators can look to make stem from using the latest and greatest technology in market to automate, track and calculate ways to improve performance.

To recap some of the key pieces of commercial fleet technology we’ve mentioned in this article, the essential software includes:

  • A thorough telematics system, such as our Tele-Gence service – which can help businesses take control of vehicle management.
  • A mileage tracker system, such as our MileageCount service.
  • Fleet software for automating vehicle checks. This can be done through our My Drive Safe mobile app service.
  • Software to cheapen maintenance costs. The team at Fuel Card Services can help fleet operators get access to pre-negotiated maintenance rates at thousands of garages across the UK.
  • Software to help drivers with their daily operations. For example, our My Drivers Club app can help drivers find their nearest fuel pumps with ease.

Having a good technology stack behind a fleet operation can also prove an attractive prospect for new drivers and partners, who may be accustomed to enjoying these benefits when offered by rival businesses.

Why is fleet management important?

In this article, we have covered what fleet management is, an overview of the fleet manager role, and helpful software solutions, but what is likely to be the impact of upgrading your fleet management processes today?

Some real-world benefits you could see within your fleet include:

  • Improved employee productivity.
  • A reduction in fuel costs – which could have a significant impact on your bottom line.
  • Saving time by controlling your fleet online and eliminating administrative tasks.
  • Reduced mileage claims.
  • Automated reporting dashboards.
  • Improved driver safety and security.

If you want to know more about how Fuel Card Services could help you and your business, you can get in contact with our fleet management experts today.