Margot ROCHARD
Faced with geopolitical events, fossil fuel markets can be particularly questioned. Since these resources are extracted and exported to different countries, conflicts can disrupt trade exchanges. These tensions influence the price of resources such as oil, for example, and therefore the price of fuel.
In this context, media news also plays an important role. When the media talk about the risk of rising prices or tensions over supply, consumers can become impatient. Some drivers rush to gas stations to fill up, which can temporarily put additional pressure on fuel delivery.
For companies with a car fleet, these situations raise concerns and questions: how to secure the activity of field teams and control fuel costs and expenses?
Fuel markets influenced by geopolitics
Oil remains a strategic resource whose price depends on numerous international factors. Tensions between states, production decisions by exporting countries or even logistical disruptions can have a direct impact on energy markets. The price of fuel may be subject to price variations as a result of conflicts in the world, production decisions, financial market fluctuations but also simply, disturbances during the transport of these energies.
These phenomena can cause the price per liter of fuel at the pump to fluctuate for all drivers, including businesses. These situations over the long term can have an impact on the daily lives of workers and on the activity of companies.
Fuel: a major expense item for car fleets
Fuel is one of the main items of expenditure related to mobility in businesses (around 17% of total cost of ownership (TCO) according to Edenred). If prices increase at the pump, this will inevitably lead to an increase in the cost of kilometers for a company's fleet and a fleet budget revised up accordingly.
In some sectors of activity, travel is an integral part of jobs, it is essential for the smooth running of missions. For example, transport, customer interventions or technical services are always mobile to ensure their missions. Controlling fuel consumption is a strategic challenge for them.
How can businesses reduce their dependence on fuel?
Faced with the uncertainties linked to the geopolitical context and their impacts on fuel and certain professions: companies can still decide to act! One lever can be taken into consideration: controlling energy consumption.
The analysis of mobility data, made possible thanks to connected fleet management solutions such as OPTIMUM, allows companies to better understand the use of their vehicles and to identify areas of optimization to promote.
1. Reducing unnecessary kilometers thanks to geolocation
The geolocation of OPTIMUM vehicles allows fleet managers to obtain a precise vision of the trips and trips made directly on the platform. The analysis of this data makes it possible to identify detours, poorly optimized routes or unnecessary kilometers.
By deciding to optimize routes, trips and Tour organization, businesses can reduce distances and limit travel times and fuel consumption.
2. Reducing consumption through the analysis of driving behaviors
Driving behavior has a major influence on fuel consumption. Sudden accelerations and speeding can lead to overconsumption.
The data collected by the vehicles makes it possible to analyze and identify these behaviors and drivers and finally, potential areas for improvement. Awareness-raising actions or training in eco-driving can be put in place in order to reduce energy consumption and promote road safety.
3. Identify consumption anomalies using vehicle data
Some telematics solutions can also provide accurate information on the real consumption of the vehicle via vehicle data (CAN bus). This information, available in real time on the OPTIMUM platform, makes it possible to compare real consumption with declared fuel volumes. This analysis can help fleet managers identify possible anomalies or inconsistencies in fuel consumption.
4. Supporting the transition to electric vehicles
Analyzing fleet uses can also help businesses identify the most suitable vehicles for gradual electrification.
By studying distances travelled, travel times or vehicle downtime, businesses can determine which vehicles could be replaced by electric or other models, without impacting operational activity.
5. Optimizing the use of vehicles thanks to Carsharing
Better visibility on vehicle use also makes it possible to identify periods of inactivity or underuse of certain vehicles.
This information can encourage companies to optimize the management of their fleet, for example by promoting the sharing of vehicles or the organization of trips between employees. Through a dedicated schedule, the company can organize and manage the use of its vehicle fleet directly online: an excellent way to promote the use of each vehicle.
6. Encouraging alternative forms of mobility
Businesses can also rely on mobility data provided for example in OPTIMUM reports to rethink their business travel policies and encourage alternative modes of transport when possible. Public schemes such as the Sustainable Mobility Package or the Mobility Credit can thus complement a global strategy aimed at reducing dependence on fuel.
In conclusion
International tensions and media news can influence energy markets and create situations of uncertainty around fuel prices and supplies.
For companies whose business depends on mobility, the challenge is no longer limited to following market fluctuations: it is now a question of controlling the energy consumption of their fleet. In some cases, this can be very impacted by current events. By relying on data and connected fleet management solutions like OPTIMUM, businesses can reduce their dependence on fuel variations and sustainably optimize their mobility costs.
