As a business owner, you know that keeping your auto fleet well-maintained and up-to-date is vital for ensuring that your operations run smoothly. However, this can be expensive, especially if you have a large fleet. Luckily, there are ways to save money on your business’ auto fleet. Let’s discuss the best ways to do this. Keep reading to learn more!
1) Acquire Used Car Warranty
One of the easiest ways to keep your fleet costs down is purchasing a used car warranty. Most used car warranties cover the same types of components and services that you would receive under a new car warranty, but they can cost dramatically less. However, make sure you do your research to ensure that the company selling you the warranty is reputable. It’s also advisable to read the Buyers Guide to learn more about the warranty you’re purchasing.
2) Purchase High-quality Vehicles
The older your vehicles are, the more likely they will break down or require costly repairs. Instead of purchasing older vehicles, purchase newer models that are reliable, durable, and last a long time on the road. You may have to pay more upfront for these vehicles than their older counterparts, but it will likely save you money in the long run.
3) Keep Repair Costs Low
Another way to save money on your auto fleet is to keep your repair costs low. The best way to do this is to have a well-trained technician inspect your vehicles regularly. This way, problems can be caught early and resolved before they become significant issues. This will increase the lifespan of your automobiles, reduce the number of repairs, and save you money.
4) Perform Regular Maintenance
Proactively looking after your fleet by performing regular maintenance is perhaps one of the best ways to save money on your auto fleet. This includes everything from having your vehicles inspected regularly to getting new tires when needed and replacing worn-out or broken parts. Fortunately, some companies will allow you to bring in your fleet for maintenance and pick it up later, taking care of everything in the process.
5) Review Your Fleet Needs Regularly
Business owners often purchase vehicles or add vehicles to their fleet without really thinking about whether or not those vehicles are needed. Review your auto fleet’s needs to ensure that you have the correct number of automobiles for your business. This will also ensure the vehicles you have suit the needs of your business.
6) Train Your Drivers on Efficient Driving
Efficient driving is one of the most effective ways to reduce your fleet’s gas usage. It can result in significant savings over time while cutting down on the number of repairs for wear and tear. Crucially, you must have your drivers avoid overspeeding, abruptly accelerating, hard braking, and carrying unnecessary items as the additional weight can lead to faster fuel consumption.
7) Enforce a “No Idling” Policy
A “no idling” policy can save you money on your auto fleet for two reasons. First, it will cut down on the amount of fuel your automobiles use unnecessarily when they’re not being used to transport staff or goods. Second, this will reduce the number of times drivers are forced to turn their engine on to warm up.
8) Get Rid of Unnecessary Vehicles
As much as you might like it, owning too many vehicles is not always optimum for your business. If you have multiple vehicles that are only used occasionally, consider getting rid of them and purchasing newer models to be used more frequently. Even if you can’t get rid of all of your older vehicles, consider pruning their numbers. Keep only the most efficient and in-demand models in your fleet.
9) Eliminate Driving in Poor Weather
Driving in poor weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow is dangerous and costly. Prevent your drivers from going out in weather below a certain threshold, making it official with a policy. By setting a standard, you reduce the likelihood of risky behavior and accidents while saving money on repairs and fuel costs.
10) Don’t Overuse Your Fleet for Non-business Purposes
Using your fleet vehicles for everything from driving kids to school to running errands will eat into your fleet’s operational costs. There are other options for driving non-essential items around. So consider them if you want to cut down on the wear and tear of your automobiles while also reducing fuel costs.
11) Install Vehicle Tracking Systems
Vehicle tracking systems tell you how your fleet is being used 24/7. If you discover that drivers are using vehicles for non-business purposes, you can end it and cut down on the money spent on fuel and repairs, as well as the downtime caused by accidents.
12) Use GPS Tracking Devices
GPS tracking devices are very effective in monitoring the location and activity of your fleet. If you find out that a driver is traveling in an area outside of their required duties, this helps you take corrective action to reduce unnecessary wear and tear on your automobiles.
13) Use Telematics Systems
Telematics systems can help you track your fleet’s performance. By tracking how long vehicles are used and the distance they’ve traveled, you should be able to adjust your fleet’s usage patterns, reducing fuel costs and other expenses while also increasing productivity.
The Bottomline: There Are Many Ways You Can Save Money on Your Auto Fleet
Having an auto fleet can be very beneficial to your business, but it does come with a range of costs and expenses. But if you’re careful ensuring your fleet’s usage doesn’t result in costly repairs or wasted fuel, then it can be very profitable. By following the tips mentioned here, you’ll be able to reduce maintenance costs while increasing productivity, enabling your fleet to be efficient and on the road when they’re needed most.
