How many fleet managers and drivers reading this take time at the start of a new year to review what worked and what didn’t in the previous 12 months?
If you do, you’re probably performing well, have a tight grip on your cashflow and are efficient in most operational areas – but there’s always room for small improvements that might make a big difference.
If you don’t, a renewed focus on budgets and efficiency can make the year ahead more predictable and safeguard the future of your business.
Fuel remains one of the biggest running costs for fleets – and while prices and market conditions are largely out of your control, how fuel is used day-to-day definitely isn’t.
Small new year “fuel resolutions” applied consistently across vehicles and drivers add up to meaningful savings. So instead of big overnight changes try small, practical adjustments that can quickly become part of everyday operations.
1. Plan routes with fuel in mind
Sitting down and planning routes in advance reduces unnecessary mileage by skirting traffic hotspots and eliminating fuel-sapping last-minute detours. It also reduces the risk of “panic refuelling” when drivers are forced to fill up at inconvenient or expensive locations.
The smallest inefficiencies repeated daily across even a small to medium sized fleet can add up to higher costs and lost time.
How to stick to it: Encourage your drivers to plan journeys before setting off, using sat-navs or route-planning tools. Share best-practice routes for regular jobs and use mileage or fuel reports to spot inefficient patterns early.
2. Reduce idling time
You probably know but…
Minimising excessive engine idling can save a fleet up to £6,000 per vehicle annually in wasted fuel.
Idling wastes fuel faster than commercial and domestic drivers realise, especially during the colder months. Leaving engines running while parked, waiting or loading might feel harmless, but across a fleet it burns fuel with no benefit at all.
How to stick to it: Set clear driver guidance around when engines should be switched off, supported by regular reminders throughout winter. Simple signage in depots and short driver briefings reinforce the message and keep idling front of mind.
3. Keep tyres properly inflated
You probably know but…
Simply maintaining correct tyre inflation can boost fuel efficiency by up to 3%. Over a year that’s a decent chunk.
Correct tyre pressure is one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve fuel efficiency because under-inflated tyres mean increased rolling resistance that makes engines work harder and burn more fuel. They also wear out faster and compromise your team’s safety – critical in winter driving conditions.
How to stick to it: Build tyre pressure checks into routine vehicle inspections or weekly checks. Remind drivers why it matters safety-wise and encourage them to track tyre-related issues through maintenance logs to ensure problems are addressed before they impact fuel use.
4. Drive smoothly, not aggressively
You probably know but…
Harsh acceleration, heavy braking and inconsistent speeds increase fuel consumption. Smooth, steady driving not only uses less fuel, but also reduces wear on vehicles and creates a safer driving environment.
How to stick to it: Share simple tips with your drivers, focusing on anticipation, gentle acceleration and maintaining consistent speeds. Where possible use telematics or fuel reporting to identify aggressive driving patterns and provide supportive feedback rather than penalties.
5. Keep vehicles well maintained
Vehicles in good order run more efficiently. Simple checks of oil levels, air filters, tyre condition and battery health all have a marked impact on fuel usage. Poor maintenance often leads to breakdowns, unplanned downtime and higher repair costs – as well as the wasted fuel.
How to stick to it: Schedule regular maintenance checks and ensure servicing is consistent across the fleet. Use reminders or maintenance schedules to avoid missed checks and encourage drivers to report issues early before they turn into more expensive problems.
6. Set driver spend limits
Setting spending limits for your drivers is a simple and effective way to keep fuel budgets under control. The limits you set help prevent unexpected spikes in spend and ensure fuel usage stays aligned to your operational needs.
How to stick to it: Review driver limits regularly and adjust them based on role, mileage and route requirements. Use the reporting functions linked to fuelGenie cards to monitor spend patterns and identify anomalies early, allowing quick action without disrupting drivers.
7. Restrict purchases to fuel-only
Restricting fuel cards to fuel-only purchases adds an extra layer of security and keeps spending clean by removing the risk of non-fuel items slipping through. It also simplifies reconciliation and reporting for fleet managers.
How to stick to it: Apply fuel-only restrictions as standard and communicate the policy clearly to drivers. Regularly review your fuelGenie transaction reports to confirm compliance for an assurance that fuel spend is exactly what it should be.
Good habits are just around the corner
No one likes a lot of change all at once, but even just trialling two or three of the small, achievable resolutions will give you a better handle on costs.
Why not try applying a few of these small, good habits across vehicles and drivers each quarter to assess the savings and what works for your operation as you go.
Good habits, better budget control, increased visibility and easy access to low-cost supermarket fuel are the big benefits of a fuelGenie card so make the most of yours in 2026.
