THE rising price of oil on world markets and increasing fuel costs on the UK’s forecourts require fleet managers to apply strong fuel management techniques.

Over the Easter period, the cost of fuel at the pumps reached a five year seasonal high according to statistics from AA Fuel Price Reports.

The figures showed that average UK retail petrol prices were 125.41p per litre, a rise of 4.4p per litre inside a month, equating to an additional £2.40 to fill up a typical 55-litre car and is up from a retail price at 120p per litre at this time last year.

The average retail price of diesel in the UK is around 131.97p per litre, said the AA, a rise of 1.65p per litre in a month and the highest price for diesel at this time of year in the last five years.

The fuel report highlighted the supermarket chain, Asda, as providing the cheapest retail petrol at 120.3p per litre. Supermarket petrol stations were charging 6.4p per litre less on average than those operated by oil companies, said the AA.

Sue Branston, Country Head of Fleet Logistics UK and Ireland said there has also been an impact on base oil prices since the UK voted to leave the EU in June 2016.

Oil is sold in dollars around the world and, since Brexit, the value of the pound has declined steadily against the dollar.  

Analysis earlier this year, from fuel specialist Allstar, shows that since the Brexit referendum, the cost price of oil has increased by 9p per litre, with 5p attributable to the resulting fall in the pound against the dollar, while the cost of oil adds 2p per litre and other factors including increasing environmental obligations add a further 2p.

Branston said: “With fuel prices on the rise, the onus is on fleet managers to look at measures to ensure that costs are kept under control and within budgeted limits, and that the right fuel purchasing strategy is followed.

“Fuel is the largest day-to-day operating cost on the company fleet and often the control of the price paid is in the driver’s hand.  

“Even supermarket pricing, typically the cheapest retail purchasing opportunity can be more than a negotiated deal on a set weekly rate, directly with the source, ie the oil companies themselves in some instances.”

There are many solutions available, but fuel is a complex commodity and needs to be understood in terms of the suppliers offerings and all the hidden charges, such as transaction costs, etc not just the price of fuel itself.

Branston added: “Fleet Logistics UK works with a number of suppliers to provide corporate clients with solutions to save money, without impacting the driver.

“The fleet manager can also benefit from management information reports which measure fuel spend on all types of fuel, including premium brands, by managing several parameters such as driver details, price, location and current mileage,  and which can be easily integrated into existing fleet management systems.” 

She continued: “Arguably, the most effective way to reduce fuel costs and cut the corporate carbon footprint is to cut the volume of business journeys made. Allowing people to work from home reduces mileage, using online or phone-based meeting technologies instead of moving people to sites reduces the need for travel.”

Branston said that monitoring driver behaviours and identifying which drivers were regularly paying too much or driving too inefficiently could also help control costs.

“Fleet managers should also consider techniques such as efficiency driver training, which teaches drivers techniques for conserving fuel and anticipating road hazards and which has been shown to clearly reduce fuel consumption and costs.”

Another option may be to consider downsizing or rightsizing vehicles to more fuel-efficient alternatives. The opportunity for downsizing is enhanced by many manufacturers introducing model ranges that optimise the use of available space, while simultaneously improving fuel consumption, said Branston.

“Similarly the latest alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) on the market, such as petrol electric hybrids, may offer more fuel competitive options, although driver mileage, range and type of driving being undertaken also needs to be taken into account.

“In urban areas, pure electric vehicles may be a consideration, but again their suitability for the task in hand bearing in mind the range required will also need to be factored into the decision.”