New data reveals huge cost of poor fuel economy for business fleets

New business driver data lays bare how modestly sized fleets are losing tens of thousands of pounds each year through poor driving, and how companies with larger fleets are potentially wasting more than £70,000 a year. Worrying habits, such as excessive speed, sharp acceleration, and sudden braking, are all significant contributors to draining the margins of fleet operators, significantly increasing the cost of routine maintenance and tyre wear, in addition to fuel bills.

The research i, collated through data from 4,500 participants in road safety charity IAM RoadSmart’s on-road ‘Driving for Work’ training courses delivered throughout 2023 and 2024, shows that companies whose workers participate in driving efficiency training see up to a 14% improvement in their miles-per-gallon on average. This means a fleet of 100 vehicles can save up to £53,890 a year on fuel costs. Fleet operators can also see annual savings on tyre outlay of up to £14,400 from driving efficiently, meaning there are potential savings of nearly £70,000 a year, excluding initial training costs. Furthermore, eco driving can provide additional benefits to firms’ environmental goals, with the potential to cut CO2 emissions for a fleet of 100 by 69 tonnes a year; the equivalent produced driving a car around the world 14 times.ii

Crucially, eco-driving, which is a driving style focused on maximising fuel efficiency and minimising environmental impact, can also enhance safer driving. Work journeys account for nearly one in three deaths on UK roads.iii In addition, company drivers rack up an estimated 1.3 million penalties a year, costing almost £100m.iv

Nicholas Lyes, Policy and Standards Director at IAM RoadSmart said: “In the face of high fuel prices, many companies are taking steps to improve the fuel economy of their fleets, such as by investing in hybrid and electric vehicles and conducting regular vehicle maintenance. While these are positive developments, a considerable number are failing to address one of the key contributors towards poor fuel economy – poor and potentially unsafe driving habits. These include behaviours such as driving too fast, accelerating sharply, braking suddenly and poor gear discipline, which have a significant impact on fuel economy across fleets. Even loading a vehicle incorrectly will impact on how quickly your vehicle gets through a litre of fuel.

“The data from our Driving for Work course shows that companies not engaging in training are essentially pouring money down the drain by letting negative driver behaviours go unaddressed. By investing in driving efficiency training, business can take impactful steps towards improving driver habits, and begin unlocking the big savings that come in doing so.”