Fleets need to maintain their vehicles to ensure safe and reliable performance, avoid costly breakdowns, and allow the vehicles to reach their maximum useful life. However, even a vehicle that is running safely and reliably can achieve fuel economy savings thanks to additional or better-optimized maintenance.
The latest Confidence Report released today by Trucking Efficiency, a joint operation of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency and Carbon War Room, explores the link between maintenance practices and fuel economy. Through its research, the study team found that the industry is aware of the impact poor maintenance has on fuel economy but is unable to quantify it, and is therefore uncomfortable making decisions concerning investments that would improve the maintenance process. Yet the study team found that fleets that implemented rigorous preventive maintenance programs saw fuel consumption improvements in the 5–10 percent percent range.
The report also contains a confidence matrix that expresses the study team’s confidence in maintenance measures, and offers recommendations for fleets interested in using this approach to improve fuel economy.
For more information, visit www.truckingefficiency.org.
