When diesel prices start creeping up, and they always do, it doesn’t take long to feel the pressure across your entire operation. A single lousy week at the pump will screw your month. When fuel prices are high and even a few extra cents can make the difference, optimising the fuel efficiency of your fleet is not a thing but a must. 

You can burn ten trucks or 100; it is fuel that is money down the drain. And let’s face it, most Logistics Hustlers didn’t build their fleets to burn money idling in traffic or dragging underinflated tires down the highway. If you want to stay competitive, especially when fuel prices are out of your control, you need to lock in every efficiency edge you can.

Here’s how to start making fuel work for you, not against you.

1. Prevent Waste with Proactive Maintenance

Small maintenance issues lead to big fuel problems if ignored. Dusty air filters, deteriorated injectors, or alignment suck diesel dry and offer nothing in return. 

What you can do is:

• Inspect the tires after long periods. Mileage can be reduced by 1-2 per axle by the use of underinflated tires.
• Maintain a tune-up of your engine. When an engine is properly maintained, it has the greatest combustion and consumes less fuel.
• Fix minor leaks fast. Even a small fuel or DEF leak can drain dollars daily.

Staying on top of repairs is the first step in keeping your fleet fuel efficiency tight and your trucks running clean.

2. Train Drivers to Drive Smarter

Even the most developed drivers can get into the habit of wasting fuel by idling, speeding, or riding the brakes on a hilly road. These small things build up, especially within a fleet.

Teach and reinforce these driver habits:

• Limit idle time. Promote engine turn-offs where there is loading/unloading, or long waits among drivers.
• Use cruise control. Helps maintain consistent speed, especially on highways.
• Ease up on acceleration. Fast starts and sudden stops are fuel killers.

Some fleets offer fuel performance bonuses; it’s a win-win. Your drivers keep more in their pockets, and your fleet fuel efficiency gets a solid boost.

3. Plan Smarter Routes

There’s no reason to waste diesel running unnecessary miles or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Route planning plays a huge role in how much fuel your fleet burns every week.

Tactics to improve route efficiency:

• Use route optimization tools (Google Maps isn’t enough anymore).
• Avoid high-traffic zones and construction when possible.
• Group deliveries and pickups smartly to reduce deadhead miles.

If you’re still planning routes on whiteboards or spreadsheets, it may be time to test a mobile tool or app that can do it faster and save you fuel without the guesswork.

4. Cut Down on Empty Miles

Deadhead miles eat into profits and fuel. It’s one thing to get your load delivered, but running back empty isn’t helping your bottom line.

What helps reduce empty runs:

• Load boards like DAT or Truckstop can help match backhauls quickly.
• Network with local brokers or partners to pick up partial loads on the return.
• Use a TMS (if you’ve got one) to see which lanes are draining fuel without return value.

Fewer empty miles equals better fleet fuel efficiency. You’re paying for that diesel; might as well use it to haul something.

5. Don’t Overlook Aerodynamics

Especially for long-haul fleets, drag from wind resistance at highway speeds can cause a surprising bump in fuel consumption. If your trucks are bricks barreling through the air, you’re burning more fuel than needed.

Small upgrades can make a big impact:

• Add trailer side skirts or fairings.
• Use aerodynamic mirrors and wheel covers.
• Close the gap between the tractor and trailer where possible.

These fixes aren’t just for big fleets with deep pockets. Many are affordable and show ROI within months through better fleet fuel efficiency alone.

6. Use Fuel Cards and Track Usage

Fuel cards don’t just offer discounts; they help you track and control spending. If you’re not already using one, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to control costs and monitor driver behaviour.

Benefits of a solid fuel card system:

• Real-time tracking of fuel purchases
• Set spending limits per truck or driver
• Access to discount networks

More importantly, tracking usage lets you spot patterns like one driver burning more fuel than others, so you can address the issue before it becomes a habit.

7. Make Data Your Friend

The best fleet managers don’t guess; they use data. Tracking MPG by truck, by driver, by lane? That’s how you spot leaks in your operation, figuratively and literally.

Use data to:

• Compare performance between trucks and drivers
• Monitor fuel usage by route or customer
• Set targets for fuel savings

Even if you’re not ready for a full TMS, some apps can give you the data you need without overcomplicating your workflow.

Final Word: Don’t Let High Prices Run Your Fleet

You can’t control the pump, but you can control how your fleet uses every drop of diesel. In tough fuel markets, the winners are the ones who operate lean without cutting corners. That means running smart, training your drivers, and tightening up your fleet fuel efficiency strategy.

Epika currently operates on fleets daily and assists them in reducing downtime and fuel working costs. By providing improved maintenance, support systems to plan routes, or serving mobile service to you when you need us, we set out to ensure the efficient and profitable operation of your trucks.