3 tips to help your drivers save big on fuel

Fuel will always be subject to price volatility, as the recent increase in fuel prices has shown.  These unexpected price swings can threaten your fleet’s bottom line. One way of lowering your refrigerated fleet’s fuel consumption is switching to more fuel-efficient, or even all-electric units. 

However, new equipment is a big investment. So, how else can you avoid wasting fuel? Your drivers might be the answer. Below you’ll find 3 ideas to lower emissions and put your drivers on the path to success and efficient fuel consumption.

Tip #1: Ensure your drivers are fuel-efficient

The key to fuel-efficient eco driving is anticipation. Unexpected stops and starts, sudden or aggressive breaking and constant acceleration can really drive up your fuel usage.

Here’s a few tips to keep in mind while driving:

1. Lift and coast

Keep an eye on that cruise control and avoid using your brakes as much as possible. Rather, let the vehicle naturally slow down when approaching lights, stop signs, intersections, corners, or speed-zone changes. Slow and smooth is much better for your fleet’s fuel efficiency than fast and harsh.

2. Gentle acceleration and early gear changes

It’s best to accelerate steadily and get into high gear quickly. Once you reach that high gear, you can adopt a low-RPM, constant driving speed. The alternative is bursts of sudden acceleration spread over more time, which can increase fuel consumption by up to 40%.

3. Keep an eye on your tyres

Underinflated tires mean more traction with the road, which means the engine has to work harder, which means it will guzzle up more petrol and diesel. Make sure your tires are inflated properly, and conduct regular checks.

These are small and easy interventions, but they help optimize fuel consumption during every trip- saving a significant amount of money across your entire business.

Tip #2: Plan your operation to minimize cold chain breaches

It’s a simple equation: the more a cooling unit has to work, the more fuel it’s going to use. Having to constantly bring the temperature in your trailer down due to repeated door openings, poor pre-cooling at the distribution center, ineffective loading practices… All guaranteed ways to make both your fuel use and your emissions skyrocket.

Following best practice in cold chain breach management can help you cut back on both.

Tip #3: Optimize your cooling modes

Saving fuel might only be a single button-press away. Thermo King’s refrigeration units offer multiple ways to optimize your temperature control – and as a direct result, your fuel costs. Making sure you’re using the right operating mode for every can significantly reduce your operational costs.

1. Continuous

This mode ensures tight temperature control, but is also very fuel-intensive. Luckily, not every load needs it. Only highly temperature-sensitive cargo, like fresh berries or pharmaceuticals, needs the constant airflow provided by Continuous mode.

2. CycleSentry (start-stop)

 Frozen loads or loads that are less temperature-sensitive can be refrigerated using the significantly more fuel-efficient cycle-sentry mode. In this mode, the refrigeration unit only activates if the temperature in the trailer goes outside of established parameters- cutting down on operating times, and thus, fuel costs.

3. Advancer’s ECOmode

ECOmode is a software update recently introduced to our highly fuel-efficient Advancer range. ECOmode limits the temperature deviation from the set point and ensures sequential airflow for optimal cargo-protection.

You can think of Advancer’s ECOmode as the sweet spot between the two modes described above. It reduces fuel consumption by up to 50% compared to continuous operation, but offers significantly tighter temperature control than CycleSentry.

More ways to save fuel

Thermo King is always looking for ways to support your business. Discover more fuel-saving tips on our pillar page.