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Fuel economy advisors

It's never to late to learn. In 2002 this project launched the modernisation fund programme based on the results of the long running best practice programme. This has produced a series of tools in the form of driver booklets, videos, case studies and comprehensive good practice guides to help operators. Subjects covered include selecting the right vehicle and features, consolidating loads, using telematics to plan the best route and the driving skills for more fuel efficient driving.

Each tool has been demonstrated to have an environmental benefit as well as helping operators reduce their operating costs to be more competitive.

Spring 2002 Ministers funded a two-year project using three contractors to deliver over 2300 free small local seminars on a range of subjects. Small and medium sized operators were also offered site-specific advice for a small fee to identify priority areas for management to invest their time and capital resources.

Spring 2003 Capacity for the seminars was further increased and by March 2004 there had been 2650 Seminars with almost 20,000 delegates. Operators were more cautious about inviting an advisor in to find 'fault', but during early 2004 eighty operators with over 2000 trucks did open their doors. The first visit is to understand the business, identify the opportunities estimate the benefits. This typically will look at:

  • current assets and typical work involved
  • purchasing policy for vehicles, accessories, fuel and tyres
  • training, skills and motivation
  • data collection, management and application.

Many of those operators are now implementing these actions to try and achieve the target cost savings. Case study 409 features one operator whose annual savings are £36k. A second visit by the advisor is to assess progress and either help the operator implement the priority changes or to stretch the more successful onto the next raft of changes.

Spring 2004 Ministers agreed to extend the programme of site specific advice to help over 500 more businesses - Government gives more help to hauliers . The scheme has also been enhanced because the £150 is now rebated after successfully completing the process. So the only cost is your time. All three contractors will be involved in that whilst Simon management are also contracted to deliver 50 regional seminars for 50 delegates covering a range of subjects.

DfT funded is strictly limited. To register or for more information, contact one of the contractors for more information:

Simon Management Ltd

Tel:

0800 783 7434

Email:

info@simontraining.com

Web:

http://www.simontraining.com [external link] 

Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)

Tel:

0800 056 5005

Email:

fea@trl.co.uk

Web:

http://www.trl.co.uk/ [external link] 

The Cold Storage & Distribution Federation (focussing on food and retail/wholesale distribution)

Tel:

01344 869533

Email:

fueladvisors@csdf.info

Web:

http://www.csdf.org.uk [external link] 

For a free copy of case study 409 or any of the best practice publications, contact:

Tel:

0845 602 1425

Web:

http://www.transportenergy.org.uk/bestpractice/ [external link]