Kwik-Fit Fleet: Rising fleet costs offset by better tyre management
Whilst UK businesses are breathing a sigh of relief after the announcement of next month’s axed fuel duty rise the operational costs for many companies remain immense, however, there are other areas of costs other than fuel that can be investigated to relieve some of this mounting pressure.
Peter Lambert, sales director of Kwik-Fit Fleet says that organisations should be looking to optimise on fleet tyre wear when, after all, the replacement of these on an average company vehicle over three years typically accounts for a third of the model’s entire maintenance budget.
“If drivers are educated to look after their vehicle tyres in accordance with best practice and other straight-forward advice is followed to keep costs in check then fleet operational budgets will not escalate out of control,” said Mr Lambert. “Indeed most if not all of the cost pressures can be offset through good management and the communication of ‘top tips’ to drivers.”
For example, motor industry data suggests:
- Incorrectly inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 10% thereby costing money and endangering lives. Tyre pressures should be checked at least once a month
- Running tyres that are under-inflated by 20% of the recommended tyre pressure level can reduce a tyre’s life by up to 30% thus significantly increasing tyre use during a vehicle’s fleet lifecycle
- Over-inflated tyres also result in accelerated wear on the tread centre as well as making them more susceptible to impact damage
- Keep to speed limits – driving at 70 mph rather than 85 mph on a motorway uses 25% less fuel and reduces carbon dioxide emissions
- Fleets can prolong tyre life, boost fuel economy and improve the road safety of their company cars and vans by inflating tyres with nitrogen instead of air.
Also a study by the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States on the use of nitrogen, available at Kwik-Fit centres, as opposed to air being used to inflate vehicle tyres concluded: “The primary result expected from nitrogen inflation is to enhance retention of tyre pressure over time, which will help maintain tyre performance properties such as rolling resistance, handling, and durability.”
Meanwhile, with crude oil being a raw material of tyre production, tyre manufacturers are applying ‘double-digit’ price rises.
Mr Lambert said: “The Chancellor’s Budget decision not to press ahead with the 1p above inflation rise in fuel duty that would have added almost 5p to the price of a litre of petrol and diesel is welcome even though pump prices remain exceptionally high. But with continuing uncertainty in the main oil producing region of the Middle East and North Africa no respite in the relentless rise can be expected.
“Similarly, with tyre prices increasing at unprecedented levels it is essential that fleet chiefs and drivers regularly check that tyres are correctly inflated and employees adopt an eco-friendly driving style to maximise fuel usage and tyre life thereby ensure operating budgets remain under control.”
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