Whether you run a large fleet or a modest one, there is a fueling option that works better for you. Except in a worst case scenario as you would find in a ‘force majeure’, there is absolutely no justification for why an up and doing fleet manager should fail in ensuring his trucks are adequately fueled and ready to go […]
Continue reading »Category: Fuel Matters
FUEL MANAGEMENT PLAN: WHY YOU NEED ONE
Why you need a Strategic Fleet Fuel Management Plan Rising diesel prices, epileptic product availability, increasing incidences of fuel contamination, an unsteady economic outlook and shrinking supply of qualified drivers have all combined to change how you need to manage your fuel program. In an era where fuel expense occupies the biggest slice of every haulage company’s total operating cost […]
Continue reading »FUEL ECONOMY (PART TWO)
Fuel Economy and Efficient Driving Behavior The following is a short list of behaviors exhibited by those drivers that consistently obtain good fuel economy. Studies have shown that a consistently efficient driver can achieve 30% or more fuel economy than an inefficient driver. Simple behaviors, like coasting to a stop instead of staying on the accelerator until the last minute […]
Continue reading »FUEL ECONOMY (PART ONE)
Fuel Economy in Haulage The importance of fuel economy to the successful operation of a trucking company cannot be understated. Fuel is one of the largest variable costs in a trucking venture, and, while no trucking operation can control the cost of fuel, it has at least some control over the amount or rate of consumption which in turn determines […]
Continue reading »AMERICAN TRUCKING INDUSTRY RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL ORDER FOR IMPROVED FUEL EFFICIENCY
Today, the White House Website released a Factsheet titled ‘Opportunity For All: Improving the Fuel Efficiency of American Trucks’ outlining President Obama’s plan to improve the fuel efficiency of American trucks through a number of deliberate action steps targeted at bolstering energy security, cutting carbon pollution and spurring manufacturing innovation. Details emanating from the factsheet indicated that Federal standards for […]
Continue reading »FOUR DAYS, FOUR PETROL TANKER DISASTERS: BERGER SUYA INCIDENT IN RETROSPECT
Four days, four petrol tanker accidents in densely populated areas of Lagos and one major fatality! On the 8th of January, in Berger Suya, Apapa, Lagos at about 9.30-10pm, a petrol tanker fell, spilled its products and went up in flames leaving a trail of unimaginable loss of lives and properties. On the 9th of January, around 2am, another […]
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IDLING: FLUSH THIS HABIT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM AND SAVE YOUR BUSINESS! Part One
“Taofik had just passed Benin By-pass on his way to make a 30tonner delivery at Enugu. He had ‘Kara’ in sight and just about then he flipped on his right turn indicator light to alert other road users of intent to move in the direction of the flashing light. He turned into the road shoulder and then parked the long […]
Continue reading »IDLING: FLUSH THIS HABIT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM AND SAVE YOUR BUSINESS! Part Two
SO WHAT DO YOU DO? Save Money and Reduce Unnecessary Idling! The following are steps you can take to make this happen: Massively enlighten you drivers on the inherent cost and dangers of idling to the business, the environment and even to themselves! Experts with good training materials can be brought in to further drive home the importance of reducing […]
Continue reading »GETTING OUT ALIVE IN AN ACCIDENT
Trucking is a very dangerous profession. In the US where ample data abounds, record has it that over 800 drivers die each year in highway accidents. In Nigeria, the fatalities would be expectedly much higher. On the average, you hear of at least 5 accidents every other week and this number is just for those that made it to the […]
Continue reading »Strategic Fuel Management (Part Two)
RESPONSIBLE DRIVING CULTURE In addition to tweaking the fundamental requirements of a haulage business in the area of fleet selection and matching within moderately permissible level, the next best strategy will be to modify the drivers’ behavior towards a more sustainable fuel-efficient eco-sensitive culture. This must be a top priority. The way employees drive their vehicles can either increase or […]
Continue reading »Strategic Fuel Management (Part One)
In Nigeria, there used to be a time, some 14years up to the first few months of the return to civilian democracy, when a few tanks of fuel went missing and nobody really cared; helping yourself to company’s fuel was considered a perk. But times have changed:
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