The past few decades have recorded a general increase in fuel prices, thanks to an upscale in the demand for petroleum products. While fuel costs have largely been stable in the United States more recently, statistics by the U.S. Energy Information Administration show that a gallon of gasoline increased from $0.998 in January 1994 to $3.075 in January 2024.
Energy experts predict an even more dramatic rise in global fuel costs due to the raging Russo-Ukrainian war and the simmering conflicts between Israel and Iran. Note that Russia is the world’s second-largest oil exporter. At the same time, the Islamic Republic of Iran accounts for 12% of the planet’s oil reserves (although the country only contributes 3% of the commodity to the global supply chain).
With more pain expected at the pump, trucking companies must implement specific adaptive strategies or risk going out of business. Below are the five ways to adapt to the rising fuel costs.
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1. Invest In Route Planning Apps
The trucking industry has undergone a tremendous technological revolution, which is evidenced by the widespread adoption of route planning applications.
Gone are the days when truck drivers would embark on thousand-mile journeys without the slightest idea of the conditions of the road ahead. With route planning apps, truckers can accurately map out their routes ahead of time.
Route planning software allows drivers to determine the shortest paths to their destinations, thereby saving on fuel costs. The apps also enable truckers to make split-second decisions en route, depending on the traffic and weather conditions. Some may recommend alternative roads to escape traffic gridlocks or adverse weather, thereby minimizing wait times and optimizing fuel consumption.
In addition to route planning software, truckers can enhance their fuel efficiency by staying up to date on trucking news. Weather updates on major news outlets allow drivers to avoid potentially problematic roads and reduce fuel wastage occasioned by longer wait times.
2. Do Not Overfill the Fuel Tank
It’s intuitive for truck drivers to overfill their fuel tanks before embarking on long trucking journeys. After all, making numerous mid-trip stopovers can delay shipment and reduce a trucker’s efficiency.
However, overfilling the fuel tank can prove disastrous, both financially and safety-wise.
Like most fluids, fuel expands when heated. The continued expansion may cause fuel overflow if the tank is filled to the brim, leading to wastage.
Besides, overflowing fuel can interfere with a truck’s injection system. If unchecked, this could diminish the engine’s power and acceleration or, worse yet, cause an explosion.
The general consensus is to refuel your tank when it’s between ¼ and ½ empty and ensure it’s 80% – 90% full.
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3. Inflate Your Tires Properly
Many truckers view proper tire inflation purely from a safety perspective. However, driving on the right tire pressure can also optimize fuel efficiency.
Well-inflated tires mean reduced contact points with the ground. This minimizes fuel wastage by decelerating tire wear and tear.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, underinflated tires increase tire energy dissipation. Higher energy dissipation only worsens a vehicle’s fuel consumption.
Since underinflated tires have more contact points with the road, they also increase a truck’s rolling resistance. Higher rolling resistance means more energy (and fuel) is required to drive a truck.
Besides optimizing fuel efficiency, properly inflated tires also last considerably longer than underinflated or overinflated tires. This can save on tire replacement costs.
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4. Reduce Drag
Drag, also known as wind resistance, is the force exerted against a vehicle while moving through the air. An increase in drag causes a reduction in fuel efficiency, and vice versa.
Contrary to popular misconception, drag doesn’t only increase when driving in windy conditions. It has much to do with a vehicle’s structure as well.
You can minimize drag by installing side skirts in your truck. These are panels outfitted on the lower side of a truck, running along the vehicle’s lengths. They’re meant to cover the space between the wheels, streamlining airflow.
Other strategies for reducing drag include;
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Add wheel covers to improve aerodynamics.
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Reduce the trailer and tractor gap by adjusting the wheels connecting the two units.
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Add a boat tail for streamlined airflow.
5. Avoid Idling
You’ve accidentally run into a traffic gridlock that isn’t moving due to an incident five miles away. But instead of switching off the engine like everyone else, you keep it running.
That’s one of the classic cases of idling fuel away. While it may sound like only a few pints of gas are getting wasted, the cumulative wastage can be costly if you have to keep your truck’s engine on for two hours without moving an inch.
Estimates suggest that an hour of daily idling translates to 64,000 miles in engine wear for a year.
So, the next time you stop your truck (whether to take a nap, grab a meal, or wait for a road blockage to be cleared), be sure to turn your engine off.
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Summary
Trucking companies may not have a direct influence on the global oil price dynamics. However, they can adapt accordingly and stay afloat when fuel costs threaten to run them out of operation.
Truckers may also consider investing in fuel finder applications as an extra measure against unpredictable surges in oil prices. Thanks to these innovative tools, truck drivers can easily locate nearby oil pumps offering the lowest rates. In cases where fuel costs and challenging road conditions lead to accidents, truck accident lawyers can provide valuable support for drivers facing legal and financial challenges.
