Get a payoff at the pumps: Educate your drivers!

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Individuals and businesses alike are concerned about future fuel prices in South Africa as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues. Early predications say that petrol and diesel increases could be at least three times higher than the last increase.

The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says – given the March 2022 situation, uncertainty, and likely probability that fuel will cost even more – “fleet managers can’t afford to neglect fuel consumption policies”.

So, here are 10 tips to reduce fuel bills…

AVOID AGGRESSIVE DRIVING: This can cut fuel-burn by as much as 30% on highways, up 40% in stop/go traffic, and perhaps even reduce travel time.

DON’T BREAK EGGS: Use the accelerator as if there is an egg below it and keep a steady right foot to maintain a steady speed. Look well ahead at traffic speed – lift foot in good time if it is slowing to permit gentle braking.

BE ENERGY-CONSCIOUS: If you have such a dial, keep flicking your eyes to the ‘instant consumption’ information adjust foot accordingly. Make energy-consciousness part of your driving style.

JOIN A CARPOOL: Sharing a car daily into and from the city – four in a group, perhaps? – by rotating vehicles weekly – with other people working near each other – was popular way back in the early 1970s.

VEHICLE CHOICE: If you have a car allowance included in your salary choose the most efficient model – whether luxury as a ‘boss’ or modest as a ‘worker’ – and think diesel because…

BE SELECTIVE: Petrol grades have standard prices according to area: diesel, however, is not so constrained. GEDDIT?

CHOOSE THE BEST ROUTE: Select the best commuting route to avoid traffic lights to minimise engine-idling, even if the route might be a little longer, select it over a hilly route

STAY AHEAD OF THE TIMES: Look out for new tech ( Carman’s Corner has such a section ) that might help reduce fuel consumption. Managers: Consider fuel-efficient when next buying.

THINK $$$$$$: Ultimately, reducing fuel-consumption falls on drivers, so, a final comment from Herbert:. “Provide them with these skills, through eco-driver training as provided by MasterDrive, and implement policies to manage this.”