How to cut the rate of idling in your fleet of trucks
Idling refers to running a truck engine when the vehicle is stationary. Although it is a common practice among truck drivers to keep the engine warm and the cabin comfortable, it is also a significant source of air pollution and fuel waste. As a result, reducing idling time can help preserve the environment and save on fuel.
For more than two decades, our company has been providing reliable protection to vehicles against fuel theft and spillage loss, and the TankSafe Optimum has led the way in our range of solutions. It is the sole security device that can guarantee three-fold protection by preventing fuel spills, overfilling, and making your vehicles completely impervious to fuel theft (yes, you read that right!).
As we mentioned before, even if your fuel tank is safe and secure, idling in your fleet will still waste a significant amount of fuel. So, let's discuss some effective strategies for fleet managers and drivers to decrease truck idling rates.
1 - Turn the vehicle off when stationary for more than 10 seconds
Even though a truck engine uses more fuel when it’s first started up, idling for more than 10 seconds actually uses more fuel than restarting the engine. That’s why it’s generally better to turn off the engine if you’re going to be stationary for more than 10 seconds. If saving fuel is your primary concern, then something like TankSafe Optimum could be the best investment in your fleet you ever make.
2 - Warm your engine by driving, not idling
If you’re using idling as a way to warm the engine, then we have news for you. The best way to warm up an engine is to drive it. Idling will warm the engine, but more slowly and inefficiently, and it also produces more harmful emissions than if the truck were in motion.
3 - Keep warm by moving!
You know that old saying that if you're cold, then you should move about to warm up? Well, it's the same principle for your truck! We understand that if your drivers are going to be spending the majority of their day in a cab, then they’ll want it to be warm and cosy, but idling the truck to heat the cab up is an inefficient use of fuel.
4 - Use auxiliary power units
APUs are devices that can provide power to the cabin and other accessories without having to run the engine. This can be helpful for keeping the cabin comfortable and providing power to accessories such as portable refrigerators, microwaves, sat navs, and charging phones.
5- Improve route planning
Your company’s route planners can play a major part in reducing the amount of idling that your drivers do. For example, by planning routes that don't involve being on the road during rush hour, your truck drivers can vastly reduce the amount of time they spend idling in traffic.
6 - Educate your drivers
It’s important to educate drivers about the benefits of reducing idling and how they can help achieve this, so make sure they know the reasons why you’re asking them to do this, both in terms of monetary costs and environmental benefits.
7 - Be aware of anti-idling laws
There are a number of anti-idling laws in place in the UK. For example, in London, it’s illegal to idle a vehicle for more than five minutes, so make sure your drivers are aware of this, or you could be facing hefty fines on top of higher fuel bills.
8 - Get involved in idling reduction initiatives
There are a number of idling reduction initiatives underway in the UK. For example, the Idling Action campaign is a voluntary scheme that encourages businesses to reduce idling. By following these tips, truck fleet managers and drivers in the UK can significantly reduce the rate of idling in their fleets, saving money on fuel, reducing air pollution, and improving human health.
The true cost of idling
Cutting down on idling is obvious from a financial point of view; after all, unnecessary idling uses more fuel. According to the UK Department for Transport, idling a heavy-duty diesel truck for one hour can consume up to one gallon of fuel.
But there are also some real environmental and health issues linked to idling that shouldn’t be ignored. The same government report found that idling a heavy-duty diesel truck for one hour can emit up to 1.1 kilograms of carbon dioxide and up to 0.07 grams of particulate matter. Particulate Matter is a type of air pollution that can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and even cancer.
If you’d like to cut the rate of idling in your fleet, then the above steps can help, but if you also want to increase your fuel efficiency and reduce your costs further, then you should seriously consider having our TankSafe Optimum and TankSafe Shield anti-siphoning technology installed in your trucks.
If you’ve still got queries about idling or anti-siphoning technology, then check out our FAQs page. Alternatively, have a chat with one of our experts on 01253 400 401, and we’ll be happy to help however we can!