Fuel costs are climbing across Australia, and if you’re on the road most days, you’re already seeing the impact. Whether you’re running one ute or a small fleet, those extra dollars at the pump add up fast.
More time behind the wheel means higher exposure to rising prices. And while fuel itself isn’t something you can control, how you use it is.
Here are a few ways to stop fuel costs creeping up:
Start with how you drive
It might sound obvious, but it makes a bigger difference than you think.
Hard acceleration and heavy braking burn more fuel than they need to. Every time you take off quickly, the engine works harder to build speed, and when you brake late, that energy is wasted. Over time, that adds up – with aggressive driving shown to increase fuel use by as much as 23 per cent in some cases.
Driving smoother, easing into speed, and reading the road ahead help reduce that waste.
Speed also plays a part. The faster you drive, the harder your engine has to work to maintain pace. On open roads, cruise control can help keep your speed steady and avoid those small, often unconscious accelerations that add up over a longer journey.
Plan your jobs smarter
If your day involves multiple jobs or sites, a bit of planning can go a long way.
Grouping jobs in the same area (instead of criss-crossing suburbs) helps cut down unnecessary kilometres. Where you can, line jobs up so you’re not covering the same ground twice.
It’s not just about distance either. Planning routes to avoid peak traffic means less time spent in stop-start conditions (that’s where fuel use really creeps up).
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There’s also value in knowing where to fill up. BP, Shell and Ampol all have apps to help you find cheaper fuel nearby.
And if you’re sitting in the cab between jobs, it’s worth switching off. An engine left running while stationary is burning fuel with nothing to show for it.
Keep your vehicle working efficiently
Your vehicle plays a big role too.
Take tyre pressure. If your tyres are under-inflated, there’s more resistance on the road, so your engine works harder to keep your vehicle moving. Keeping tyres at the right pressure is a quick win.
The same goes for extra weight. Carrying unused tools, equipment or roof racks put more load on the engine and increases fuel use.
Staying on top of servicing and only carrying what you need helps keep everything running efficiently day-to-day.
Looking ahead
Fuel is always going to be part of the job, and while you can’t control what’s happening at the pump, these few small changes can help make a difference.
Head over to SG Fleet to learn more
