New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 European Launch
Volkswagen’s Crafter has undergone a midlife makeover and gets a new front-end along with new Euro 5 engines… Read More
Over a quarter of van drivers ignore fuel usage
According to a survey carried out on behalf of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, in excess of a quarter of van drivers are unaware of their fuel consumption. The research, commissioned to highlight the fuel savings offered by the new VW Crafter, provides an insight into how important efficiency is for businesses today.Slightly worrying is that van fleet operators admit to having only taken a limited number of measures to optimise their drivers’ fuel efficiency. Fewer than half (42 per cent) have considered planning routes for their staff, while only 35 per cent have taken the effects of the driving habits of their van drivers into account.
According to the results of the survey, only 18 per cent of van drivers have received any form of training to help them drive more fuel efficiently while just 23 per cent have their routes planned for them. More surprisingly, 81 per cent still don’t have satellite navigation to help plan the optimum routes. In fact, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of van drivers felt their routes were inefficient as far as fuel consumption was concerned, often finding themselves making two trips on the same route in the same day.
Of the 60 per cent of commercial van drivers surveyed that have a company logo on their vehicle, however, 58 per cent said this made them drive more carefully than they might do otherwise.
“This research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles highlights the importance of efficiency in the workplace,” said fleet operator and founder of Pimlico Plumbers, Charlie Mullins (see video). “Due to increases in fuel prices last year, we had to spend £150,000 more on fuel. However, there are ways to improve fuel efficiency and these can be as simple as taking the shortest routes and placing speed restrictions on vans.”
Commenting on the results of the research, Alastair Hemmings, national fleet manager, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK said: “This research clearly shows that van drivers and fleet operators can easily save money by choosing more efficient vehicles and considering other areas of their operation where efficiencies can be made.”
