GreenRoad Survey Says 71% of Fleets Significantly Impacted by Recent Fuel Cost Increases; 92% Expect Fuel Prices to Keep Rising
Survey of Fleet Leaders Shows Fuel Representing 26-75% of Costs for Most Fleets
REDWOOD CITY, CA –April 10, 2012 — GreenRoad, the leader in driver performance and safety management, today released survey results indicating that fleet operations across the U.S. are being significantly impacted by rising fuel costs. According to the survey, 71% of fleet leaders say they are being ‘significantly impacted’ by the recent increase in fuel costs and an overwhelming majority, 92%, expect fuel prices to keep rising while 58% expect the cost of fuel to increase significantly. Fuel now represents 26-75% of costs for over 61% of all fleets.
The survey, fielded in March by GreenRoad, surveyed fleet leaders across a broad range of industries, fleet types and sizes. Other key findings from the survey include: fuel consumption is a top-level focus for fleet management; over half, 55%, have specific goals for reducing fuel consumption; and fleet leaders employ a variety of methods for monitoring and reducing fuel use.
“Recent fuel cost increases have hit fleet leaders where it hurts most: the bottom line,” said Tanya Roberts, senior vice-president of marketing for GreenRoad. “And, most fleet leaders are convinced fuel costs will continue their upward momentum.”
Measurement by Driver Improves Fuel Consumption
Even though it has been widely demonstrated that driver behavior has a significant impact on fuel consumption, only one-third of fleet leaders measure fuel consumption by driver. Fifty-seven percent agree that measuring by driver would help them contain fuel costs.
“We all know that specific driver behavior, such as rapid acceleration, speeding and harsh braking can dramatically impact fuel consumption. GreenRoad customers regularly see a fuel cost reduction of up to 10%, and up to 12% with idling management,” commented Roberts. “There is real money to be saved by adopting a technology-based driver performance solution, like GreenRoad,”
Only 40% Doing “Everything Possible”
Although fuel costs are of significant concern for a majority of fleets, only 40% believe they are doing “everything possible” to reduce fuel consumption. Thirty percent (30%) are not sure if they are doing everything possible, and 30% are sure they are not doing everything possible. Smaller fleets are caught in a time bind with 35% of those with fewer than 50 vehicles agreeing that “reducing fuel consumption is important, but I don’t have time to work on it.”
Slightly over half of fleet leaders, 55%, have specific fuel reduction goals and those goals range from a low of 2% reduction in fuel costs to a high of 25% reduction. Just over a quarter, 25%, are focused on idling management as a fuel consumption safeguard and another 25% are turning to fuel efficient vehicles.
About the GreenRoad Fleet Leader Fuel Survey
The GreenRoad Fleet Leader Fuel Survey was fielded in March 2012. The survey sample was 1066 participants who recommend, approve or influence fleet technology purchases across a wide variety of industries, fleet types and sizes.
About GreenRoad
GreenRoad provides a single, comprehensive telematics solution to both change driver behavior and manage fleet performance and efficiency. Its solution engages drivers directly for meaningful, lasting behavior change. At the same time, fleet tracking, mapping and reporting help fleets optimize their daily and strategic operations. To GreenRoad customers this means increased safety and customer satisfaction and reduced operating costs for a clear competitive advantage.
For more information please contact:
Dr. Ursula Ron
Online Marketing Manager
ursula.ron www.greenroad.com
