Pretty Green?
If someone asked you to spend more money than you had to on a product or service, you’d probably look at them in disbelief.
Saving money on your motoring and car leasing costs is a reality.
Earlier this year, we as a business, reviewed how we operated and at the end of it we made substantial savings. Simple measures helped saved thousands of pounds.
CASE STUDY – Our own business, UK Carline:
It was normal procedure to go out and see every client whether they were based 20 or 200 miles away because we thought that’s what our customers wanted. However we made a decision and ruled out non-essential business travel.
We conduct more business over the internet, this has been made particularly easier with the improvements in electronic communication and our own website. Moreover, clients prefer this approach as it doesn’t take up essential time.
The result - we have more than halved our fuel bill!
FUEL FOR THOUGHT:
If you had a fleet of Ford Focus Zetec diesel cars all running on 30,000 miles per year, fully maintained and adopted our approach and halved your mileage you would save approximately £2487.00 per year per vehicle just on fuel and vehicle lease costs.
Sat Nav and appointment planning can also significantly reduce journey time. Approximately 7 per cent of all motor journeys are driving the wrong way! Using the Ford Focus again, that could mean 2100 miles a year are spent going the wrong way, or £200.00 needlessly going into the fuel tank!
TIPS TO SAVE COSTS:
- Incorrectly inflated tyres can affect consumption by as much as 8 per cent.
- Regular maintenance is essential! Clean oil and filters will improve consumption, limit repairs and help avoid bills at the end of the contract if the service schedule has not been maintained.
- Have you ever reviewed driving styles of your staff? Some people ride the brake others stop start erratically. These all affect fuel consumption and increase maintenance costs.
- Give staff fuel cards as it will help monitor fuel costs.
- Consider ‘green’ tyres. Low road friction and longer life which Michelin claims that if every diesel vehicle in Europe were fitted with these tyres, fuel consumption could be reduced by 4.5 billion litres a year.
Monitoring these factors on a regular basis will make your drivers think more about the way they drive for you. Careful drivers will be happier people, more productive and cost efficient. Reduced maintenance, fuel and insurance costs are a real benefit to any business, and adopting a ‘green strategy’ will make your organisation more appealing to prospective clients.
At no point have I mentioned the environment - this is just common business sense but if the additional benefit is we do make a difference to climate change well that’s one big thing not to ignore.
Think green and help your business stay in the black.