Data from the 331,000 vehicles plus that subscribe to Fleetmatics’ services reveals that vehicles operating without a fleet management solution will idle for 96 minutes per day, on average. The firm adds that by implementing a GPS fleet tracking solution, SME fleet owners can reduce vehicle idle time by 25% on average, or 24 minutes daily.
In 2011 it was estimated that only 860K or 24.9% of all commercial vehicles operating in the UK and Ireland had implemented a fleet management solution. Based on a penetration rate of 24.9% of the 4.5 million commercial vehicles on the road today, we should already be realising a saving of 1.7 million litres of fuel per day or nearly £2.3 million4 daily. But, if all commercial vehicles operating in the UK and Ireland were to implement this technology, business could save a further five million litres of fuel or almost £7 million – which totals daily savings of 6.7 million litres of fuel or £9.2 million.
Richard Brooks, Fleetmatics’ marketing director for Europe, said: ‘While some idling of commercial vehicles is unavoidable, I think the research does highlight a massive problem for businesses in the UK and Ireland. Our customers are all SMEs and even small percentage points of profit on the bottom line matter. Business owners and operators I am sure will be horrified at the news that their money is being poured down the drain or more accurately is going up in smoke.’
Brooks added: ‘I’m sure that many people will want to look at their stats and compare our findings with what they are seeing in their business. Our data enables them to benchmark themselves and it’s a good example of the kind of business intelligence information modern businesses need.’
