Massive fuel price increases show no signs of stopping as conflict continues in the Strait of Hormuz. As from tomorrow motorists will be paying R3,27 more per litre of petrol while drivers of diesel vehicles face a massive R5,26 per litre.
Some vehicles will cost up to R500 more per tank more after the increase. The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says incremental tweaks to driving habits are no longer enough. “Instead, it requires a fundamental shift in how drivers and fleet managers think about fuel.
“Reactive responses to fuel price increases is even more unsustainable, instead it requires long-term and intentional strategies to decrease fuel spend. Those that will weather this best make fuel efficiency a deeply ingrained culture, not an afterthought,” says Herbert.
Think in rands, not percentages
Consider fuel savings in real numbers, rather than percentages. “In May, a fuel saving of 15% in a vehicle covering 3 000km a month at 8L/100km can save over R11 300 per year by implementing eco-driving.
“Multiply that across a fleet of 100 vehicles and the saving surpasses 1 million Rand annually. Framing fuel efficiency in rands rather than percentages makes the urgency tangible and helps secure buy-in from both drivers and decision-makers,” says Herbert.
Major fuel saving strategies
Driving behaviour is a major factor, but a poorly maintained vehicle drains a tank quickly, irrespective of how carefully it is driven. “Incorrect engine oil viscosity, worn spark plugs, clogged air filters and under-inflated tyres all increase fuel consumption.
“Additionally, low tyre pressure forces the engine to work harder. A disciplined service schedule was never optional maintenance, but now more than ever, it becomes a direct fuel-saving strategy.”
Most unnecessary fuel spend happens before cruising speed is even reached. “Cold starts on trips under 5km, multiple isolated journeys in a day, and peak-hour congestion all increase fuel consumption.
“The solution is smarter scheduling. Consolidate errands, carpool and use real-time traffic data to avoid congestion. These behavioural changes compound over time.”
For fleet operators, the most powerful shift is to move from assumption to evidence. “Telematics can help identify specific problem behaviours which can reduce fleet fuel consumption by up to 15%. It enables targeted interventions. Without measurement, improvement is guesswork.”
Additional training becomes a necessity. “Eco-driving courses can reduce fuel consumption by between 15% and 20% on average. Unlike tips read in passing, formal training embeds economical driving as instinct. Eco-drivers are also safer drivers, reducing accident risk and the associated costs.”
Significant uncertainty remains around fuel prices. “Build a culture of efficiency built into every journey, service interval, and fleet decision. You cannot control the price at the pump, but you can control everything that happens before you get there,” says Herbert.