Study shows smart driving saves trucking companies money

Some trucking companies may be thinking about making their fleets more eco-friendly in the future, but some experts are striving to commit to these changes sooner. Not only can modifying trucks to use less amounts of gas or utilizing alternative forms of fuel help the environment, but it may save the business money. Both fleet management owners and truckers could benefit from switching to more fuel-efficient equipment.

A recent study by the SmartDrive Company found another way to save on gas is to drive smartly. A test that monitored the driving skills of almost 700 truck drivers revealed that the best drivers saved an average of 22 percent of their gas consumption by practicing better driving tactics.

"Within two months, the top 25 percent of drivers improved their fuel economy from 5.92MPG to 7.98MPG, or 22 percent," Jason Palmer, president of SmartDrive, said in a statement. "That's a real savings that any commercial fleet operator would appreciate."

Some of these skills included knowing how to correctly make sharp turns and minimizing the need for idling engines. Truckers who have completed their CDL training may wish to learn about these special skills that could save them and their company from the high cost of fuel.

Study shows smart driving saves trucking companies money

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011