4 Ways to Reduce Fleet Management Costs in the Post Pandemic Era

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the demand for home delivery- a trend that was already steadily increasing over the last decade. As a result of the increased demand, freight transportation costs are now spiraling, and often directly impact a company’s profit margins and bottom line. Therefore, fleet managers are constantly looking to optimize their fleet and delivery operations to reduce costs. In the post pandemic era, here are four ways to reduce and control your fleet management costs:

1. Improve Route Management: 
   
   The fastest way to reduce fleet operation costs is to begin at the foundation- route management. By executing routes using lesser time and fewer miles, fleet managers can significantly reduce the costs associated with daily fuel and van maintenance. Fleet supervisors should enhance route planning by optimizing delivery times and frequencies. Technology such as GPS and other telematics solutions can help reduce mileage by offering improved routes and optimized schedules. By evaluating driver territories, van-usage reports, and number of deliveries in relation to the mileage and time of their fleet, managers can identify areas of improvement that may further help in reducing overall costs. 
   
   
2. Reduce Carbon Footprint:
   
   Did you know that reducing the CO₂  emissions of your fleet can help save costs? Focusing on sustainable initiatives that reduce a fleet’s carbon emissions can help fleet managers benefit from lower costs, tax benefits and an improved corporate reputation. To reduce emissions, fleet managers should:

• Educate drivers on how to decrease fuel consumption by avoiding idling, hard accelerating and adopting efficient daily routes. 
• Improve fleet maintenance by ensuring regular oil changes, tire inflation etc. to increase fuel efficiency. 
• To further reduce your fleet’s carbon footprint, consider switching to electric or hybrid vehicles and periodically review CO₂  emissions and goals.

These measures can also help lower fuel costs for your fleet. Today, fuel is among the largest variable expenses for fleet managers. As world events continue to cause fuel prices to spike rapidly, fleet managers should proactively maintain a fuel management program for their fleets. In addition to the above, this includes processes such as acquiring fuel-efficient technologies, scheduling preventive fleet maintenance, carefully selecting fuel card providers, vehicle weight reductions, additional transmission gears and leveraging fleet telematics solutions to evaluate fuel usage patterns and make informed decisions about your fleet.

3. Lifecycle Management Programs:
   
   Another way to bring down fleet costs is by investing in lifecycle management programs. Lifecycle management means strategically acquiring and disposing of vans to optimize value. By carefully tracking data on the vehicle market value, maintenance costs and fuel costs, fleet managers can determine the total costs for each vehicle per month and evaluate the optimal time to replace a vehicle from the fleet. Fleet life cycle management can result in decreased downtime, fewer repairs, and lower fuel costs while maximizing vehicle resale value.
   
   
4. Optimize Your Vans with the Right Upfit:
   
   Optimizing your vans with upfit that enhances safety, range, and operation is a great way to reduce long-term fleet maintenance costs. Investing in high quality, lightweight upfit can help you save on costs in the long run by increasing efficiency, maintaining advanced safety standards and optimizing your vehicle’s operations throughout the lifecycle.  Ranger Design is an upfit solution provider that offers a wide range of custom-fit, high quality upfit solutions such as:

• Van Partitions: Ranger Design’s van partitions are sure to help you meet your fleet safety goals. They are engineered to provide a solid, secure barrier between the occupants in the cab and the cargo area, are built to withstand the most rigorous crash test standards in the industry and are designed for maximum impact resistance.
• Van Flooring: Ranger Design recently launched its new innovative E-Floor. Designed for both EVs and combustion engine vans, this drill free floor is the perfect fit for all your flooring needs.
• Van Shelving: Ranger Design’s versatile range of shelving systems are adjustable, lightweight, rattle-free and designed for maximum flexibility.

Ranger Design can help you transform your fleet and save on long-term costs with the right upfit. No matter what your trade, Ranger Design’s premium quality van shelving, bins and accessories can be tailored to your every need! From ladder racks and fold-away shelving to an ergonomic mobile workstation, our diverse equipment line will turn your cargo van into an efficient work van. Our Fleet Experts will custom design the right package to help you optimize your fleet and save on long-term costs. Get in touch with us today to learn more!