How companies can reduce fleet costs quickly. An Experts advice.

Since the end of February 2022, petrol and diesel prices have skyrocketed. Fleet Management Expert Andreas Egger gives tips, on what companies can do to quickly save on mobility costs.

Fleet expert Andreas Egger gives tips on how to reduce fleet costs in the short term

That depends on the company and the fleet. Of course, a logistics company depends on being mobile in a completely different way than a company that would prefer to send its sales people personally to the customers.

Anyone who can now afford not to drive and switch to online meetings more often will immediately save the kilometers not covered. Those savings are not only made at the gas station, but also again in the medium term on the leasing contract. But it also helps if carpools are formed and only one car drives to an appointment instead of three.

Many fleets have used state subsidies in recent years to purchase plug-in hybrids. But most of them have never been electrically charged so far. This is where you can start - electricity is still a lot cheaper than fuel. And the electric vehicles that have already been integrated into the vehicle fleets should now be used preferentially.

Those who do not have hybrids or electric vehicles at their disposal at all can switch to public transport. I know, it doesn't sound that sexy, but it's very efficient - not only because of the travel costs: the time you're sitting on the train is productive time because you can also work there.

Logistics prices are usually contractually bound - it's difficult to get out of these contracts now. However, the delivery days can be a negotiation point. If possible, logisticians should try driving less often, combining trips and making better use of vehicles. This not only reduces fuel consumption, but is also better for the environment.

If vehicles are taken out of daily operation for a longer period of time, the leasing contract or insurance can also be renegotiated. The contracts are then paused.

Of course, savings can also be made on other cost factors, such as tires. In order to be able to assess this precisely, the fleet manager needs a detailed insight into the total costs of ownership (TCO). In my experience, with the introduction of professional fleet management software that supports controlling, a total of up to 15% fleet costs can be saved. It's a process that will take some time, but it's worth starting now. Because even if fuel costs fall again: if you have an overview, you are better prepared for the future.