The US trucking industry spends around $105 billion on fuel annually, the second-largest expense after labor costs. This accounts for 20% of the total operating expenses. Saving energy is every driver and operator’s goal as it is the easiest way to cut costs, especially during this pandemic.

This article covers some industry tips and some scientific information to help you in increasing your Truck Fuel Efficiency. You can save up to 30% on fuel costs per vehicle if you follow the simple tricks we will tell you.

• Stop Speeding:

Excessive speeding burns the most fuel as compared to any other driving habit. According to the ATA, if you drive over 65 mph, you burn 27% more fuel. You can avoid speeding by keeping an eye on the speedometer. Owner-operators can also monitor their driver’s speed limit using a GPS-equipped fleet management system. For those drivers who want to save time by driving fast, it’s simply not worth the extra fuel cost.

• Avoid Aggressive Driving:

Harsh and frequent braking comes under aggressive driving behaviors. Avoiding aggressive driving can save you between 15-30% fuel costs.  

• Stop Idling:

Idling a heavy-duty vehicle burns between 0.7 to 0.8 gallons of fuel per hour. This is a lot higher than a regular car. According to an estimate, around 1.1 billion gallons of fuel are burnt in idling annually. Not only do you burn more fuel, but you also increase the chances of engine wear which means more expenses down the line.  

• Your Vehicle:

Get regular tuning of your engine to avoid extra fuel costs. Regularly change your oil and fuel filters. Tuning helps to keep your engine in optimal health, reducing fuel consumption.

• Inflate Your Tires Properly:

Keep your tires inflated according to the given standard, as this helps your engine burn less fuel. Underinflated tires don’t do their job well, and thus an engine burns more energy to compensate.

• Opt For Efficient Routes:

This tip is valuable for local delivery trucks who have to make multiple stops during the day. You need to opt for the routes with minor traffic to save time on the road. Based on real-time data, you can adopt routing and dispatch software to plot out the best trails within seconds.  

• Minimize Air Conditioner Use:

A truck driving with an AC will have 3% less fuel mileage than a vehicle without a running AC. So, avoid misusing the AC as it adds up fuel costs.

These are some tips you can adopt to increase your truck fuel efficiency and increase your bottom line as an owner-operator.

Also Read: The Best Things About Truck Driving Careers