Fuel Fleet Management: cutting costs and preparing for the future

Across Europe, fuel prices have been on a dramatic climb, reshaping the economics of transport. For operators, especially smaller fleets, these prices put profit margins under real pressure - making fuel fleet management a critical survival strategy. A comprehensive fleet audit is the first step toward decarbonisation, helping you analyse fuel purchases and other operational data to support informed decisionmaking. How can small fleets save fuel to limit the damage? To explore this topic, we sat down with Stefan Meier, Managing Director of the Spedition Schultz & Sohn and Bernd Moser, General Director of Eutiner Spedition.

How can small fleets save fuel to limit the damage? To explore this topic, we sat down with Stefan Meier, Managing Director of the Spedition Schultz & Sohn and Bernd Moser, General Director of Eutiner Spedition.

In March 2022, at the start of the war in Ukraine, fuel prices spiked to an all-time high, at times reaching €1.99 per litre. Although prices have since dropped, averaging €1.61 per litre in Europe, the cost of fuel remains historically high¹.

And let’s not forget that fuel is one the biggest expenses for fleets. In fact, fuel alone can make up about a quarter of total operating costs of a long haul truck. For a fleet of 35 heavy duty vehicles, even a small rise in price can add tens of thousands of euros in monthly expenses².

In this economic context, fuel fleet management is more important than ever.

There are several practical ways to reduce fuel consumption - some rely on technology, while others come down to driver behaviour and day-to-day habits.

Behaviour and training

Instilling a strong culture of responsibility is the first step towards a truly fuel efficient fleet. A fuel fleet management system is the perfect place to start. It helps identify inefficiencies while also motivating drivers. Studies have shown that when drivers know their fuel consumption is being monitored, they naturally adjust — reducing consumption by 3–4%³.

Encouraging eco-driving and promoting good driving habits can push savings even further. Training in techniques such as smooth acceleration and braking, maintaining steady speeds, and anticipating road conditions can reduce the vehicle’s consumption by up to 15%. Intelligent cruise control, which integrates real-time road topology and traffic data, can add savings of 1.5% on steep inclines and up to 4% on hilly terrain⁴.

Another major culprit is idling. Heavy trucks burn around 3 litres of fuel per hour at idle, and idle time can account for up to 6% of total fleet consumption⁵. Automatic engine shut-off systems, which stop the engine when the parking brake is engaged, deliver significant reductions.

Cut fuel costs the smart way:

“The driver is the most important piece in this puzzle,” says Tomasz Leki, CEO of Poland’s Transport Krajowy i Międzynarodowy. With eco-driving techniques, trained drivers can cut fuel use by 2 litres per 100 km. That’s up to 20,000 litres saved every year.”

Discover what other fleet managers and drivers say about eco-driving.

Fleet renewal and new technology

While the industry awaits full-scale electrification, today’s modern diesel trucks are significantly more efficient than older models. Manufacturers have invested heavily in engines, aerodynamics, and telematics - connected systems that track speed, location, driving patterns, and even tyre pressure. These insights and datas allow managers to implement fleet fuel management solutions that identify
inefficiencies, optimise routes, and guide training. Telematics can lower fuel use by an additional 3-4%³.

Technological aids further strengthen results:

• Speed limiting at 80–90 km/hr can deliver 5% savings on long-distance routes⁶.

• Aerodynamic modifications reduce consumption by 7–8%, equivalent to 83 grams of CO₂ per km⁷.

• Automatic engine stop/start systems cut consumption by 1–6% depending on route type and stop duration⁸.

  
  

Tyres: a hidden lever

Tyres are one of the most powerful, and often overlooked, tools for reducing fuel consumption. For urban or mountainous routes, tyres account for around 20% of fuel consumption. On long-distance hauls, that figure rises to 35% of the mechanical energy required to move a truck⁹.

Did you know that the right tyre choice can generate immediate benefits?

• Switching from grade B to grade A low rolling resistance tyres saves around 0.8 litres per 100 km¹⁰.

• For a 50-truck fleet, that adds up to annual savings of nearly €65,000¹¹.

  
  

And monitoring pressure is just as important:

• 1.5 bar under-inflation = 8% more rolling resistance¹².

• Across all 12 tyres on a truck, this raises fuel consumption by:

  • 1.5% on regional trips¹³.

  • up to 2% on long-haul routes¹³.

High fuel prices are not going away - but the good news is that fuel fleet management technology, smarter driving, and better tyre practices are already helping operators cut costs.

Hybrid strategies - combining the gains of efficient diesel with gradual integration of renewable and alternative fuels - are also taking hold across the industry. Hydrogen and electric solutions will play a growing role, but until then, companies must strike a balance between reducing current costs and future-proofing their operations.

In this environment, the role of a robust fuel fleet management system cannot be overstated. It is the backbone for creating a fuel efficient fleet, managing fleet management costs, and implementing scalable fleet fuel management solutions. 

Ultimately, the companies that succeed will be those that view fuel fleet management not as a defensive measure, but as a proactive strategy - reducing costs today while steering fleets toward a more sustainable future.