When scaling up your business, you might eventually need to consider a fleet of vehicles. Whether it’s a series of delivery trucks and vans or a group of company cars for your top execs. This fleet might help your business perform better and more efficiently. However, they also pose a significant cost-benefit problem. Is the fleet really worth the time and money it requires? The simple answer is yes, if the company is big enough and the fleet is managed well. In this post, we’ll show you how manage a business fleet in a cost-effective way.
Lease or buy?
Your first big question, as a business owner, is choosing whether to buy or lease the fleet vehicles. Buying means committing to a full price up front, which could mean a big initial payment. It also means taking on the responsibility for complete maintenance, faults, and additional costs. On the other hand, leasing means you have a little more flexibility. Instead, you make a series of monthly payments to loan or hire the vehicle for a 3-4 year period. It can ultimately cut your payment down sizably.
Fuel costs
Next, of course, you must consider the fuel costs of running a large fleet. If you operate a series of delivery trucks, they’ll devour fuel quickly! Meanwhile, company cars are typically offered under a contract whereby the business covers fuel costs. It can amount to a large bill. When it comes to delivery trucks, in particular, it pays to bulk buy your diesel in advance. Rather than rely on expensive diesel station prices, use a company like New Era. They deliver diesel to your fleet centre, and it usually proves a cheaper alternative.
Hire and training drivers
When considering a fleet of delivery trucks, it’s crucial that you select a reliable group of drivers. Remember, when they’re on the road, they are the face of your business. Under your employ, they are your responsibility. It’s also worth considering that their behaviour towards customers is all part of the business package. With that in mind, you must hire only the best drivers, with exceptional records. Train them in customer service, so they continue to represent the company from start to finish.
Track mileage and performance
Once your fleet is supplied and ready to go, install them with GPS trackers. That allows you to track and monitor the progress of your drivers while on the road. Are they driving effectively? Are they taking a common-sense route between deliveries? Are they hitting their time targets? All this data will help you form a better understanding of how to improve efficiency and costs.
Maintenance
Vehicle maintenance is also key in this business. Neglecting the essential maintenance tricks will lead to a short-life of your vehicle fleet. Make sure your drivers are performing regular checks on their oil, tires, and engine. For the bigger jobs, employ a mechanic to check over the fleet at regular intervals.
When managed correctly, a fleet of vehicles is a great way to improve the efficiency and productivity of your business. Just be sure to follow the advice here, and make sure it’s cost-effective.
