How Idle Time Reduction Reduces Fleet Costs

Vehicle idle time represents a significant yet often overlooked challenge in fleet operations. When a vehicle runs while stationary, whether during traffic stops or delivery waits, it creates unnecessary costs and environmental impact that can be substantial when multiplied across an entire fleet. Understanding and addressing idle time is crucial for optimizing fleet operations and reducing operational expenses. 

There are nuances to "idle time," meaning there is no "one size fits all" solution for reducing this waste. For example, if the majority of a driver's idle time is after their deliveries or before leaving the lot, then the solution may be to encourage drivers to keep the vehicle turned off while performing their pre-inspection or handling paperwork. However, if the idling is typical during the trip, then this might indicate route inefficiencies, like traveling through congested areas at peak times. 

Regardless of the type of vehicle idling time a fleet exhibits, a fleet manager will benefit from an in-depth look at what's happening. They are typically shocked to discover how truly wasteful these easily solved matters are. 

Powerfleet Can Reduce Idle Time With Ease

A robust telematics platform gives fleet managers deep insights into specific behaviors. They can see when and where the car is idling, and depending on how in-depth their platform is, they may even be able to get a direct visual of the driver to see their actions during this time. 

In our work with clients worldwide, we've found that the results speak for themselves: By combining telematics with our AI dash cam, fleets see a 15% reduction in fuel costs and a 25% increase in productivity.  

Using a telematics platform without AI coaching reduces fuel costs by 7.5% and increases productivity by 10%. Reducing idle time, which needlessly consumes fuel and emits greenhouse gases, directly influences each of these improvements. 

The Impacts of Excessive Idling

Idle time impacts a company's budget not only because it increases fuel consumption but also because of the opportunity cost of having a vehicle and driver sit idle when they could be completing other tasks. Additionally, this downtime can actually indicate decreased morale for drivers who feel like they are twiddling their thumbs instead of working. 

On a macro level, vehicle engine idling also significantly contributes to emissions. In the United States, passenger vehicles and trucks account for 29% of all transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. While this number has been steadily declining due to more fuel-efficient vehicles, there is still significant room for improvement. 

In a study by the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation accounted for 27% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Within the overall transportation segment, light-duty vehicles accounted for 57% of GHG emissions, while medium- and heavy-duty vehicles accounted for 26%.  

Extending the benefits of past fleet cost savings and instead considering the environmental benefits that a telematics platform can offer, imagine the environmental upside of a 15% reduction in fuel use across the entire sub-segment of medium—and heavy-duty vehicles in the country! 

While this number will vary based on the fuel type of the vehicles involved, it is clear that there is a direct correlation between the amount of time a vehicle idles and the emissions it produces. 

The Legality of Excessive Idling

Depending on where your fleet operates, several laws are specifically designed to curb idling. As a fleet manager, you must understand the laws regarding idling as they apply to your fleet, which can quickly become complicated when operating across state borders—especially in states with drastically different regulations legislation. 

While legislation is one way to curb idling, it is not the only method. In many cases, voluntary efforts by companies to reduce idling can be even more impactful. Receiving a fine is frustrating, especially for such an avoidable behavior. Alternatively, fleet drivers can save money on fuel costs by reducing idling and won't need to worry about paying penalties. This win-win situation is just one of the many benefits of implementing telematics platform. 

How GPS Tracking Can Reduce Idle Time

GPS tracking is one of the most effective ways to reduce idling time. It provides fleet managers with real-time data and visibility into their drivers' whereabouts and behaviors.  

Suppose a driver has a habit of stopping for lunch and eating in their vehicle without turning it off. In this case, a telematics platform can address just one of many simple and easily correctable behaviors. A fleet manager must cross-reference a vehicle's location and status — whether it is moving, idling, or turned off — to determine exactly what is happening. 

Additionally, GPS tracking can monitor driver behavior and identify patterns that may indicate inefficient routes or excessive idling. For example, if a driver consistently arrives at their destination well before their scheduled time, it may suggest that the route is not properly optimized and could be adjusted in several ways.  

If the driver frequently arrives late or a specific leg of a routine delivery consistently shows high or abnormal idle times, this might clearly indicate that it needs to be adjusted to avoid peak traffic hours. 

When all this information is aggregated into Powerfleet's dashboard, fleet managers can easily identify areas for improvement and support their decisions with facts and hard data that were difficult to gather, input, and process until recently into usable outcomes information.  

Tips for Reducing Idle Time 

By implementing a telematics platform, fleet managers can get specific insights into their drivers' behaviors, providing them with a deeper understanding of how and why drivers are idling. Additionally, there are some more general tips to save on fuel costs [tips to save on fuel costs] and idling reduction that can be applied across fleets. 

One way to reduce idle time is to use a telematics platform with route optimization capabilities. This type of software considers traffic patterns and customer locations to create more efficient routes. It can also help monitor and adjust driver behavior by providing factual information about how and why a certain driver is idling (or wasting fuel in other ways) more than other drivers in the fleet. 

Fleet managers may also consider ways to encourage drivers not to keep the engine running when stopped for long periods of time. This could be done through educational materials, such as an article or video explaining the impacts of idling and how it can be avoided. With our AI-powered dash camera, a virtual coach can provide real-time feedback on unwanted behaviors, such as unnecessarily idling, which can cause engine wear. 

Another great option is to incentivize drivers to reduce their idle time. This could be done through a leaderboard or other recognition system that highlights the drivers who are doing a good job of avoiding excessive idling.  

Again, this is made simple with a telematics platform from which a fleet manager can pull extensive data, including when and where the driver is idling and providing context about why the driver may have been idling at that time. 

Investing in idle reduction technology is another great way to reduce idling in certain situations. Various devices and software programs, such as engine shut-off timers and automatic startup/shutdown features, can help reduce idle time. However, if your fleet is primarily diesel, these may not be the correct solution for you. 

These are just a few of the many ways that idle time can be reduced across a fleet. By understanding how and why drivers are idling, fleet managers can make more informed decisions about which strategies will work best for their particular operation.  

At Powerfleet, we are biased, but we firmly believe that useable data is the key to making lasting improvements to a fleet. Our fleet manager dashboard makes tracking these improvements simple. 

Contact Powerfleet to Discuss Your Fleet Needs Today 

With a little bit of effort, fleet managers can make a big impact when it comes to reducing their fleet's idle time. By doing so, they can not only save money but also help reduce emissions and improve driver safety. 

If you're interested in learning more about how Powerfleet can help you reduce fleet idle time, contact us today. We provide a variety of solutions that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your fleet. Whether you manage a fleet of 3 vehicles or 3,000, we can assist you in making the necessary changes to enhance your operation.